Sheehan Carter, Acting Vice-President, Consumer, Analytics and Strategy
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
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Good afternoon and thank you for inviting us to appear before your committee.
Before we begin, I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg people.
I am joined today by my colleague, Scott Hutton, our Secretary General.
We are pleased to join you today to assist your study of Bill S-211, the National Framework on Sports Betting Advertising Act. As you know, the bill would require the CRTC to assess the effectiveness of its regulations and policies in reducing harms from sports betting advertising, and provide a report within 12 months of the Act receiving royal assent.
Before we get to your questions, I would like to provide an overview of the CRTC and our role regarding advertising on radio and television.
The CRTC is an independent, quasi-judicial tribunal that regulates the Canadian communications sector in the public interest. The CRTC holds public consultations on telecommunications and broadcasting matters and makes decisions based on the public record.
The Commission consists of nine members: a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson for Telecommunications, a Vice-Chairperson for Broadcasting, and six regional Commissioners who are located across the country. The Commission is supported by a team of expert staff that help them make informed decisions.
I know that we are here to talk about Bill S-211, so I will speak briefly about our role when it comes to advertising in broadcasting. Our role is narrow. We require that broadcasters comply with advertising codes, such as those governing alcoholic beverages and advertising directed to children.
Those advertising codes are normally developed by Ad Standards, a national not-for-profit organization. They work with broadcasters, industry experts, and government partners like Health Canada, to ensure that the advertising Canadians see is truthful, fair and accurate.
Ad Standards administers and reviews these codes, measures their effectiveness, consults subject matter experts, and works proactively with advertisers as they develop their campaigns.
With regards to the advertising of sports betting and gambling in general, the Canadian Gaming Association, in collaboration with Ad Standards, recently developed a voluntary Code for Responsible Gaming Advertising. It took effect in January 2026.
Although the CRTC has not been involved in the development of the Code, we understand that it is intended to set out principles to guide advertisers in their promotional efforts and provide a benchmark for acceptable and socially responsible advertising. It also includes guidelines instructing all gambling advertisements to be transparent and clear, for portrayals of gambling to depict and encourage moderate, responsible play, and to be directed only to adults.
We know this is an important issue to the Committee and to Canadians.
The CRTC will continue to work, within its mandate, to ensure that broadcasters continue to comply with the applicable codes.
Thank you again for the opportunity to appear before you today, and we look forward to your questions.
