Mandate
The mandate of the Fund, as set out in CRTC Broadcasting Regulatory Policy Decision CRTC 2012-181, is to "Provide costs support to public interest groups and consumer groups representing non-commercial user interests and the public interest before the CRTC in broadcasting matters under the Broadcasting Act; support research, analysis and advocacy in both official languages directly related to ongoing CRTC broadcasting proceedings under the Broadcasting Act; retain an independent costs officer who shall be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the BPF subject to the overriding authority of the Board; and do all things which are in furtherance of the foregoing."
The Fund was created under the provisions of CRTC Broadcasting Decision 2011-163 which was issued on March 7, 2011.
CRTC Broadcasting Regulatory Policy Decision CRTC 2012-181 was amended on August 7, 2012 by CRTC Broadcasting Regulatory Policy Decision CRTC 2012-181-1.
Processes
The Costs Officer will receive and review costs applications and prepare recommendations and draft findings for the Board of Directors. As approved by the CRTC, the costs processes, criteria, rates, policies and forms are designed to be as consistent as possible with those used in the assesment of costs with respect to costs awards by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in telecommunications preceedings, as discussed in Telecommunications Regulatory Policy 2010-963.