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OTTAWA, August 8, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Sun News Network’s bid to be carried on basic cable across Canada was rejected by the country’s communications regulator today after it said the network failed to “clearly demonstrate its exceptional nature”, a move that could jeopardize the future of the network. 

“I’m appalled by all of this,” said Jim Hughes, president of Campaign Life Coalition, to LifeSiteNews.com. Hughes called the decision an “attack on free speech”, saying that the “field should be wide open for everyone”.

“It seems that if you happen to hold a traditional value, or if you happen to be someone who believes in restoring a culture of life to Canada, you’re ignored,” he said. “But any other type that comes from left field is perfectly acceptable”.

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Sun News Network, a 2011 upstart conservative-leaning news channel dubbed by some critics as “Fox News North”, made what it called a “do or die” application to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in January. 

The network, owned by Quebecor Inc., argued that foreign channels like CNN are part of the basic cable package, while the Sun News Network which offers 96 hours a week of original Canadian news content is not. It asked the CRTC for a spot on the dial and 18 cents per subscriber, far lower than the 63 cents given to CBC.

A lack of market access granted to other major networks put the network in a financial hole last year to the tune of $17 million. 

More than 50,000 people petitioned the CRTC to accept the Sun News Network’s application for a license that would level the playing field. 

“We are disappointed that the CRTC did not rule in favour of our application for a mandatory distribution order,” said Kory Teneycke, Vice President of Sun News, in a press release. 

Teneycke said there is a silver lining in the ruling that will allow the network to keep operating for a time. “The CRTC has made it clear that it is no longer acceptable for distributors to pay twice as much to foreign news channels as they do to Canadian news channels. Closing that gap will benefit all Canadian news channels.” 

“Our campaign was to put 'Canadian TV First', not put 'Sun News First'. We are glad that our application has acted as a catalyst for this broader review of the framework for national news services announced today,” Teneycke said. “We intend to participate fully in those proceedings, and will continue to operate pending an outcome.”

Sun News Network has been outspoken on life and family issues including taking a gloves-off approach to abortion, homosexual-related issues, and freedom of speech and religion issues. 

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“Sun News is the strongest voice for the pro-life cause on television in Canada. Bar none,” said Byline host Brian Lilley to LifeSiteNews in January.  

“We welcome the other side of the debate as well because that is what we do, but no one on television in this country gives as much airtime to pro-lifers. We shouldn't let that voice be silenced,” he said at the time.

Sun News was joined by 11 other networks in being denied mandatory distribution by the CRTC  including Canadian Punjabi Network, EqualiTV, Maximum Television Canada, Starlight: The Canadian Movie Channel, and Vision TV. 

Hughes hopes that Sun News manages to keep on going. 

“I certainly hope this is not the death knell of Sun News because I think they’re extremely effective in offering an alternative voice on mainstream issues, which is not reflected frequently in other news channels,” he said.