It was agreed, — That, in light of the economic downturn, this Committee conduct a study at its earliest convenience on the future of television in Canada and the impact of the economic crisis on the industry in our local communities, beginning with calling to appear on March 25, 2009 from the Canada Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission: Konrad von Finckenstein, Chairman, Michel Arpin, Vice-Chairman of Broadcasting, and Peter Foster, Director General of Television Policy and Applications, to provide a briefing examining impacts on
1. broadcast in terms of the following key issues that are emerging:
a) the upcoming transition to digital programming;
b) the financial pressures on local and Canadian programming;
c) the need to maintain diversity of voices in media markets across Canada;
d) the effectiveness of cultural development funds on ensuring Canadian voices are able to compete in a challenged television landscape;
and
2. the upcoming public hearing on License Renewals for Private Conventional Television Stations listed in Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2009-113 in light of the recent economic crisis and technological innovations; and
that the Committee report the findings of this study to the House.