Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC) has asked the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for advance notice on its wholesale rate for the 2026-27 broadcast year.

The specialty channel, which provides coverage of governmental affairs and proceedings in Canada, filed a Part 1 application this month requesting the CRTC increase its wholesale fee from 13 cents to 16 cents effective Sept. 1, 2026.

In the application, CPAC stated that it will not be able to continue providing its core services beyond its current broadcast licence term, which expires Aug. 31, 2026 following an administrative renewal handed out last year. The channel said advance notice about its wholesale rate would be critical for its planning process.

CPAC also argued that the applications give the CRTC time to consider the wholesale fee increase while it continues progress in modernizing Canada’s broadcasting regulations, as well ensure the request is considered if an additional administrative renewal is issued.

The channel said in the application that it needs to increase the wholesale fee due to a revenue decline in subscription revenue and rising costs from inflation. If the fee is not increased by the proposed date, CPAC said it will need to “cut back substantially on its operations and programming.”

Additionally, CPAC argued that the CRTC’s administrative renewal of its current broadcast licence has had a material impact on its financial planning and expectations. And while support from the federal government – including $5 million allocated in the most recent federal budget to update its broadcasting infrastructure – will support operations in the interim, more financial support will be needed in two years.

The CRTC has opened the application for comment until Aug. 23.

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