Reallocation of Paid Broadcasting Time Allocated to Four Deregistered Parties

The Broadcasting Arbitrator

Suite 5300
Toronto-Dominion Bank Tower
Toronto, Ontario
M5K 1E6

Tel: 416-601-7620
Fax: 416-868-0673
Cell: 647-588-7620

Reallocation of Paid Broadcasting Time Allocated
to Four Deregistered Parties

Pursuant to subsection 340(1) of the Canada Elections Act, if a registered party to which broadcasting time has been allocated is subsequently deregistered, I am required to convene a meeting of the representatives of the remaining registered and eligible parties to which broadcasting time has been allocated for the purpose of reallocating the deregistered party's broadcasting time.

On July 31, 2016, the Party for Accountability, Competency and Transparency was deregistered. Then on August 31, 2016, the United Party of Canada was deregistered. Finally, on September 30, 2016, both the Canada Party and Forces et Démocratie were deregistered.

In my decision of July 13, 2016, these four deregistered parties had been allocated a total of 34 minutes and 30 seconds. Pursuant to s. 340(1), I am required to reallocate this time amongst the remaining 19 registered parties.

In view of this, the parties were invited to participate in a conference call to discuss the reallocation of the time in question.

In a notice sent to all parties on October 4, 2016, I proposed to divide the time to be reallocated into 30 second portions and allocate that time equally to all the remaining parties, starting with the party with the smallest amount of time. This approach would result in all parties receiving an increase of 1 minute 30 seconds, and the 12 parties with the smallest amount of time receiving a further increase of 30 seconds each.

The conference call took place on October 13, 2016. All 19 parties were invited to participate, but only three chose to join the teleconference and no one objected to my proposal.

Accordingly, I have adopted the proposal as set forth in the notice of October 4, 2016. The resulting allocation is set out in the appendix to the attached order.

In my decision of July 13, 2016, I referred to a 10 minute threshold as being the minimum amount of time that a party would need to make a meaningful case to the public. I am pleased to see that under the revised allocation of paid broadcasting time, all parties would meet or exceed this threshold without having to rely on free time.

Toronto, October 21, 2016

Peter S. Grant
The Broadcasting Arbitrator

Reallocation of paid broadcasting time

Order

Following the convening of all registered parties pursuant to subsection 340(1) of the Canada Elections Act, I hereby allocate the broadcasting time to be made available under sections 335 and 339 of the Act on the basis set forth in the Appendix.

October 21, 2016

Peter S. Grant
The Broadcasting Arbitrator

APPENDIX

Allocation of Broadcasting Time to Be Made Available by Every Broadcaster Under the Canada Elections Act for Purchase by Registered Parties and Newly Eligible Parties, as Determined by the Broadcasting Arbitrator under Subsection 340(1) of the Act