Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning cellphone and wireless carriers, ISPs, satellite communications, broadband access, 5G, remote communities, and CRTC spectrum licences. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track other GR news in adjacent industries? Don’t miss this week’s updates in ICT & Cybersecurity and Utilities & Power.

Dates: 2025-10-05 to 2025-10-11

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal GR News

CRTC Modernizes Radio Licensing Framework for Broadcasters

On October 10, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced a shift to open-ended licences for radio stations, removing expiry dates and reducing the administrative burden on broadcasters. The changes are part of the CRTC’s ongoing implementation of the modernized Broadcasting Act. This move is expected to simplify the operational landscape for both new and existing radio stations, with regular simplified audits replacing the previous licence renewal process. The CRTC will maintain oversight to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. These steps follow public consultations that included input from broadcasters, music industry associations, and individuals. Additional regulatory documents referenced include Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2025-265 and the CRTC Red Tape Reduction Progress Report. The CRTC has, to date, initiated 16 public consultations and issued 8 decisions in support of the updated Act, including measures affecting online streaming services and content contributions.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Examines Bill S-209 on Age Verification

On October 8, the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs continued its review of Bill S-209, which seeks to restrict online access to pornographic material for individuals under 18. Witnesses included representatives from the Free Speech Coalition, Yoti, Ethical Capital Partners, Aylo Freesites, and academics from the University of Oxford and Université de Montréal. Discussions addressed the bill’s focus on age verification rather than content prohibition and considered privacy implications of verification technologies. Industry witnesses noted concerns regarding compliance costs and the practical effectiveness of site-level versus device-level age checks. Senators questioned the extent to which youth could circumvent restrictions using VPNs, and the flexibility of the proposed regulatory framework was debated. The session concluded with consideration of how privacy rights, technological capabilities, and regulatory oversight will intersect if the bill is enacted.

Sources: Transcripts: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

US Federal GR News

White House Signs TAKE IT DOWN Act, Advances Child Online Safety Policies

On October 6, the President released a statement for Child Health Day, reaffirming the Administration’s commitment to protecting children’s health and well-being. Among initiatives cited was the signing of the TAKE IT DOWN Act, developed under First Lady Melania Trump’s leadership, which introduces new protections against digital exploitation and deepfake abuse targeting minors. The Act also lays out measures to strengthen online privacy and mental health safeguards for children. The Administration outlined ongoing work through the Make America Healthy Again Commission, focusing on reducing chemical exposures, promoting physical activity, and reviewing the use of various prescription drugs among youth. These developments may impact regulatory considerations for digital service providers and platforms operating in the US market.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

Canadian Provincial GR News

New Brunswick Expands Cellular Infrastructure with Three New Towers

On October 7, the Government of New Brunswick announced plans to construct three new towers to improve cellular coverage along key provincial routes, with a project cost of $7.1 million. The initiative, which will support both public safety networks and commercial providers, is part of a broader partnership involving multiple government departments and service providers.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www2.gnb.ca

Government Consultations

CRTC Consultation on Improving National Public Alerting System Nears Completion

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s consultation on enhancing the National Public Alerting System, launched in July and closing on October 14, is soliciting feedback on alert accessibility, language options, and national distribution requirements for emergency communications.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: crtc.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• One of the world's biggest AI companies wants a deal with Canada. Is sovereignty the trade-off?: Examines how proposed partnerships with global AI firms could affect Canadian data sovereignty.
• Will Canada's digital policies be in Trump's crosshairs in trade negotiations?: Reviews the potential impact of US-Canada trade negotiations on digital regulation.
• Gigamon Hybrid Cloud Security Survey Reveals CISOs’ 2026 Security Strategies: Metadata Emerges as Cornerstone of Cyber Defense: Reports on survey findings about the evolving role of metadata in cloud security strategies.
• UPDATE Zensurance: Cybercrime Affects More Than 50% of Small Businesses in Canada: Details cybercrime prevalence among Canadian SMEs and related risk factors.
• Taliban internet and social media restrictions violate Afghan rights, UN experts say: Summarizes UN experts' statements on internet and social media controls in Afghanistan.

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