BANFF – Heritage Minister Bev Oda told delegates Sunday afternoon that the government is renewing its contribution to the New Media Fund, earmarking $29 million over two years.
While the $500,000 a year increase over the previous level of funding was less than some were hoping for, Oda’s commitment was well-received.
She noted that last fall’s report from the CRTC on broadcast technology and new media said Canada was beginning to lag behind other countries when it came to new applications and platform development and one of her ministry’s main goals for the media industry is to ensure there is quality Canadian content available across all platforms.
“The rate and speed at which Canadians are moving into the new era are lagging behind other countries,” she said. After adding she was pleased to see the CRTC set a deadline for the conversion of broadcast TV to digital, she spoke the obvious: “The broadcasting system is in a period of transition… (and) we must make sure Canadians have choice, particularly Canadian choices,” she added, just before the funding renewal announcement.
“We will continue to support Canadian interactive content,” she continued. “We must ensure Canada will be able to continue to support the creation of quality Canadian content in a new, emerging world.”
– Greg O’Brien
