The Department of Canadian Heritage and the CRTC are applying pressure — albeit gentle — on cable operators to fall in line with the Canadian Television Fund.

In a cautiously worded statement released to the press on Tuesday, newly dubbed CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein warned Shaw Communications and Quebecor that ‘all stakeholders must play by the rules,’ and noted that the federal watchdog will have ‘a role to play’ in resolving the ongoing dispute at the fund, which has seen Shaw and Quebecor-owned Videotron suspend their monthly contributions.

‘The CRTC is prepared to work with the CTF board of directors, Quebecor and Shaw to resolve the matters in contention,’ says Von Finckenstein. ‘The Commission is confident that Shaw and Quebecor will heed the minister’s call and resume monthly payments.’

The remarks followed an appearance earlier that day by Bev Oda, the heritage minister, before Parliament’s heritage committee, which is partway through hearings into the latest CTF crisis. Oda reportedly also called on stakeholders to ‘respect’ the rules, but appeared to pass the buck to both the CRTC and the CTF. Oda has been under fire by opposition MPs for her handling of the trouble at CTF.