Telecommunications and broadcasting have always been regulated under separate legislation in Canada (although the two sectors of the communications industry are regulated by one body, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, hereinafter referred to as the "Commission" or the "CRTC").

The legislation are the Broadcasting Act of 1991 and the Telecommunications Act of 1993.

One concern driving Canada’s history of regulated competition in telecommunications is its long-standing concern for preserving its cultural identity in the shadow of the U.S.

The Broadcasting aspect of the CRTC is concerned with the supervision and regulation of the broadcasting industry in Canada and for developing general broadcasting regulatory policy.

The Telecommunications aspect of the CRTC is concerned with the implementation of Canadian telecommunications objectives set out in the Telecommunications Act and to ensure that Canadian carriers provide telecommunications services and charge rates on terms that are just and reasonable, and do not unjustly discriminate or provide an unreasonable preference toward any person.

Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
The CRTC derives its regulatory authority over broadcasting from the Broadcasting Act (S.C. 1991, c. 11, as amended). Its telecommunications regulatory powers are derived from the Telecommunications Act (S.C. 1993, c. 38, as amended) and the Bell Canada Act (S.C. 1987, c.19 as amended).

Telecommunications Act of 1993.

Bell Canada Act