May v CBC/Radio Canada et al

2011 FCA 130 (Released April 8, 2011)

Judicial Review – Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) – Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms – Voting Rights

Pursuant to the Canada Elections Act, the CRTC is required to issue a set of guidelines with respect to the conduct of broadcasters during a general election within four days of the election writ being dropped. The CRTC issued such a bulletin for the May 2011 election (the "Bulletin"), which referred to the CRTC's 1995 Guidelines (the "Guidelines"). The Guidelines provided that not all party leaders need be included in the leaders' debates, as long as equitable coverage of all parties is provided during the election campaign.