Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Rules of Practice and Procedure (SOR/2010-277)

Marginal note:Information bulletins

6. The Commission may issue information bulletins regarding matters within its jurisdiction, including

• (a) the application of these Rules and the Commission’s regulatory policies and decisions; and

• (b) the format and numbering of documents to be filed with the Commission, the software to be used to file them and the procedure for their filing.

Marginal note:Dispensing with or varying Rules

7. If the Commission is of the opinion that considerations of public interest or fairness permit, it may dispense with or vary these Rules.

Marginal note:Return of application or complaint

8. If an application or complaint does not comply with a requirement of these Rules, the Commission may return the application or the complaint to the applicant or the complainant so that the deficiencies may be remedied or it may close the file.

Marginal note:Defect in form

9. The Commission must not dismiss an application or complaint by reason solely of a defect in form.

Marginal note:Other powers

10. The Commission may

• (a) if it is of the opinion that the circumstances or considerations of fairness permit, adjourn a proceeding;

• (b) if it is of the opinion that the circumstances or considerations of fairness permit, combine two or more proceedings;

• (c) decide whether to admit a document as evidence;

• (d) order to be amended or struck out a document or part of a document that, in its opinion, might prejudice a party or delay the hearing of the matter on the merits;

• (e) provide an opportunity for the parties to make written or oral representations; and

• (f) in the event of a reference to the Federal Court, stay the whole or any part of a proceeding pending the decision of the Court.

Marginal note:Relief

11. In broadcasting matters, the Commission may approve the whole or any part of an application or grant any relief in addition to or in substitution for the relief applied for.

Note: Section 60 of the Telecommunications Act provides in part for the same rule in relation to telecommunications matters.

Marginal note:Computation of time

• 12. (1) Sections 26 to 29 of the Interpretation Act apply to the computation of a time period set out in these Rules or a decision, notice of consultation, regulatory policy or information bulletin, except that

  • (a) Saturday is considered to be a holiday;

  • (b) a time period for the filing of a document with the Commission ends at 5:00 p.m., Vancouver time; and

  • (c) the period beginning on December 21 in one year and ending on January 7 in the following year must not be included in the computation of a time period.

• Marginal note:Calendar days

  (2) A time period is computed in calendar days.