Today, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) made an important decision to ensure the Federal Telecommunications Act continues to be implemented as envisioned by the Parliament of Canada—a key request made by Electricity Canada as a respondent in Telus Communications Inc. v. Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
In its decision, the Court confirmed what we've long argued: the CRTC does not have the authority to force access to public property for wireless antenna placement. That means telecom carriers can't simply request the CRTC to override the rights and responsibilities of public authorities, including electricity companies.
This decision affirms that Parliament got the balance right. Yes, rolling out telecom services is important—but it doesn’t trump local governance, safety, or public interest. It’s a strong, clear message that utilities and other public entities have a legitimate role in shaping how and where this infrastructure is deployed.