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At the twenty-first IC-RAC Canadian Amateur Radio Advisory Board meeting held in Ottawa, Ontario, on October 23, 2003 RAC presented its Board-approved "Ad Hoc Committee On Radio Amateur Qualifications - Interim Report" which recommends that Morse code be dropped as a qualification requirement. RAC had conducted a web site survey from August 3rd to August 31, 2003 seeking the opinions of Canadian amateurs on the matter.

Industry Canada expressed appreciation to RAC for its prompt and comprehensive response to the department's request for input on changes to regulations arising out of the WRC-2003 decisions. Industry Canada invited RAC to submit detailed proposals on dropping Morse code.

The recommendations are such that they could be implemented by Industry Canada relatively quickly and would not prejudice a possible restructuring of the system of qualifications which might be contemplated for the future.

Radio Amateurs of Canada should recommend to Industry Canada that the current Morse code Qualification be dropped as a requirement for operation in the bands below 30 MHz.

RAC should recommend to Industry Canada that, at the same time as Recommendation 1 comes into force, the achievement of a grade of at least 80% on the Basic examination will be required in order to be permitted to operate in the bands below 30 MHz. Achievement of at least 80% will lead to a new qualification to be called the Intermediate Qualification. Holders of the present Basic plus Morse Qualification will be deemed to hold the Intermediate Qualification.

RAC should recommend to Industry Canada that current holders of the Basic Qualification who have not also obtained the Morse Qualification should continue to have their existing operating privileges. That is, they will be permitted only to operate on the bands above 30 MHz.

RAC should recommend to Industry Canada that any current holder of the Basic Qualification who does not also have the Morse Qualification may retake the Basic examination with a view to obtaining a grade of at least 80%. Those who are successful will receive the Intermediate Qualification.

RAC should recommend to Industry Canada that the pass mark for the examination leading to the Basic qualification be raised to 70% at the same time as the Morse code requirement is eliminated.

RAC should recommend to Industry Canada that all persons who currently hold both the Basic and Advanced Qualifications be given operating privileges on the HF bands. In future, persons who wish to obtain the Advanced Qualification should already hold the Intermediate Qualification, or the current Basic plus Morse Qualifications, and will need to obtain a grade of at least 70% on the Advanced examination.

RAC should recommend to Industry Canada that the present Morse code examination continue to be available to those Canadian radio amateurs who wish to have that qualification specified on their certificate.

RAC should take the necessary steps to complete the revision of the HF band plans now underway and then to make a concerted effort in all possible ways to make every Canadian radio amateur aware of the bandplans and of the importance of adhering to these plans.

RAC should recommend to Industry Canada that holders of the Intermediate Qualification be permitted to construct and use commercial transmitting equipment kits with a power output not exceeding 10 watts.

RAC should recommend to Industry Canada that holders of the Intermediate Qualification be permitted to construct and use their own transmitting equipment in the bands above 2.3 GHz with a power output not exceeding 10 watts.