Fee-for-carriage is an amount per customer that Canadian conventional broadcasters such as CBC/SRC, CTV, Global, 'A', CHEK, V and TVA, are demanding that cable and satellite companies like Cogeco pay for carrying their television signals.

On many occasions, the CRTC has refused to grant Canadian conventional broadcasters the right to charge fee for-carriage for a number of reasons. They have unique privileges:
Cable or satellite distribution of their signals is mandatory and imposed by the CRTC
They can sell as much advertising as they want, and have a monopoly on local advertising on TV
Their over-the-air signal – that anyone with an antenna can pick up – is free
Unlike Canadian conventional broadcasters, specialty TV channels have none of these advantages, which explains why they are
     permitted to collect fee-for-carriage.

But, the CRTC has just changed its mind and wants to reassess the issue. If it gives Canadian conventional broadcasters the right to charge fee-for-carriage, at least $5 per month – at 50¢ per subscriber per month per conventional broadcast signal – will be added to each customer’s bill, which adds up to $60 per year.

The CRTC will hold a hearing so that consumers can say what they think. You can do so until November 2. Your opinion has never been more important.