OTTAWA — Konrad von Finckenstein gave Canada’s private broadcasters an earful on Monday for failing to support the CRTC’s request for more money.

‘For some time we have been stretched thin,’ the CRTC chairman said during his address at the conference of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. ‘And those who are regulated have a very tough time doing business if they can’t rely on the understanding and support of the regulator.’

The CRTC is seeking operating budget increases of up to $8.3 million in 2007, $9.94 million in 2008/09, and $9.07 million on an ongoing basis thereafter, with the money coming from the broadcast, cable and telecom industries. The commission received about $25.1 million in so-called ‘part one’ fees in the 2006 broadcast year. The money is meant to ensure that regulations and rulings keep pace with the rapid changes in the industry.

‘We at the CRTC are doing our part to support the industry and to respond to your requirements. To be successful, this approach must be reciprocal.’ he said.

CAB president and CEO Glenn O’Farrell told Playback Daily that the group remains opposed to any permanent increase in fees.

Von Finckenstein also defended the commission’s controversial Dunbar/Leblanc report which, following its release in September, drew an immediate rebuke from CAB for suggesting that restrictions should be placed on the simulcasting of U.S. shows on Canadian networks. CAB called the report ‘irresponsible.’

‘Let me repeat: We commissioned the study but we did not dictate the results,’ he told the room, ‘and any determination of the issues will be dealt with through open and transparent public hearings.’

Von Finckenstein, who has moved quickly with regard to some recent mega-mergers — such as CTV ‘s CHUM acquisition, Astral Media’s purchase of Standard Broadcasting and Rogers Media’s takeover of the Citytv stations — appears to have taken his foot off the pedal.

He announced that the public hearing on distribution and discretionary services, originally scheduled for February, has been pushed back to April. A public hearing will also be held on Feb. 4 on the Canadian Television Fund. The commission initially said it would have its final ruling on the fund out by September.

Guy Mayson, president and CEO of the CFTPA, congratulated the CRTC for bringing the CTF debate into the public, ‘the way it should be.’ The initial consultations were held behind closed doors.

The distribution and discretionary review will include another look at the contentious fee-for-carriage proposal from several conventional broadcasters, an issue that the CRTC dismissed when it released its over-the-air television policy in May. Von Finckenstein also pushed back hearings on the renewal of television licences from April to late 2008 and early ’09, with current licences being given an administrative extension for a year.

Von Finckenstein refused to talk to reporters following his speech.

Outside, about 300 boisterous ACTRA members also took aim at the private broadcasters, for spending $500 million a year on U.S. programs and just $40 million on homegrown shows.

‘When I hear the name Canadian broadcaster — that’s an oxymoron,’ said Corner Gas star Eric Peterson. ‘How can a Canadian broadcaster be a Canadian broadcaster when they have zero hours of new Canadian one-hour TV dramas on the air?’

‘We are colonized by American programming,’ added Trailer Park Boys actor Robb Wells.