CHPC Committee News Release
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Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage |
HOUSE OF COMMONS CHAMBRE DES COMMUNES OTTAWA, CANADA K1A 0A6 |
Comité permanent du patrimoine canadien |
For immediate release
NEWS RELEASE
Emerging and Digital Media: Opportunities and Challenges
Ottawa, February 17, 2011 -
The Honourable Michael Chong, PC, MP, Chair of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, tabled today the committee’s final report on its study of emerging and digital media.
“Canada is well-placed to take advantage of the many opportunities in the emerging and digital media environment,” said Mr. Chong. “At the same time, the committee has identified some measures that could be taken to ensure that Canada remains in the forefront of this rapidly evolving sector.”
“The digital revolution is having an impact on all the arts and culture sectors, and Canadian artists and creators must be encouraged as they explore innovative ways of adapting to new platforms and devices,” said Pablo Rodriguez, MP, First Vice-Chair of the Committee.
In the study, the committee explored developments in emerging and digital media, how they are affecting Canadian cultural industries, and what federal institutions could do to assist Canadians and Canadian cultural industries benefit from these developments. The committee held 17 meetings, during which it heard from 46 groups and individuals and received one submission.
The report, entitled Emerging and Digital Media: Opportunities and Challenges, summarizes the testimony the committee heard and makes 26 recommendations. The recommendations touch on a number of ways in which the Government of Canada could encourage the development of emerging and digital media in Canada, through, among other things:
- digitizing and preserving Canada’s documentary heritage;
- ensuring that all Canadians have access to high-speed broadband Internet;
- encouraging digital literacy and training in digital skills;
- supporting innovation and the development of new digital media companies;
- strengthening the digital media components of programs for arts and culture and supporting digital media production;
- proceeding as quickly as possible with the development of a national digital economy strategy;
- removing barriers to bringing in foreign workers in digital media sectors;
- increasing funding to the Canada Media Fund; and
- ensuring that the Canadian broadcasting sector remains under Canadian ownership.
The committee also recommends that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission ensure that net neutrality – equal treatment to all Internet traffic – is respected.
Members of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage include the Honourable Michael Chong, PC, MP, Chair; Pablo Rodriguez, MP, First Vice-Chair; Carole Lavallée, MP, Second Vice-Chair; and as well as Charlie Angus, MP; Scott Armstrong, MP; Patrick Brown, MP; Bonnie Crombie, MP; Dean Del Mastro, MP; Royal Galipeau, MP; Roger Pomerleau, MP; Blake Richards, MP; and Scott Simms, MP. Other members who also participated in the study include former chair Gary Schellenberger, MP; as well as Rod Bruinooge, MP; Ruby Dhalla, MP; Nina Grewal, MP; and Tim Uppal, MP.
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