Government of Canada Remains Committed to a Strong Canadian Broadcasting System
OTTAWA, November 6, 2003 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps said Canadians have a right to be proud of our country's broadcasting system, as the Government's response to the Report of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, Our Cultural Sovereignty: The Second Century of Canadian Broadcasting, was tabled today in the House of Commons ."The Committee did a thorough study and concluded that the Broadcasting Act is still an effective piece of legislation and our policy objectives remain valid," said Minister Copps. "Over the years, we have built a remarkable system and are committed to continuing this work in the years ahead, cognizant of the Committee's recommendations."
The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage conducted a two-year study of the many facets of the Canadian broadcasting system and delivered its report with 97 recommendations in June of this year.
"The Government has never wavered in its commitment to a broadcasting system that tells Canadian stories and presents Canadian points of view," said the Minister.
In its response, the Government recognizes the dramatic growth within the broadcasting system in recent years. There were 141 licensed televisions services in 1996. That number grew to 252 by 2002, including 19 services offering a diversity of voices reflecting Canada's ethnic communities. This has led to more choice and intense competition for viewers.
Highlights of the Government's response include an increased emphasis on building audiences for Canadian programs, a commitment to improve the governance of the Canadian Television Fund, and better alignment among agencies and programs in pursuit of the goals of the broadcasting system. The essential role of the CBC as Canada's national public broadcaster is affirmed. This carries with it the need for improved accountability on the part of the CBC.
The Government is also considering a redesign of tax credits for Canadian producers and centralization of the certification of Canadian content.
Highlights of the Government's response are included in the attached backgrounder.
The Government's response is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca
Information:
Naline Rampersad
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
- BACKGROUNDER -
Highlights from the Government of Canada's Response
to the Report of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage,
Our Cultural Sovereignty: The Second Century of Canadian Broadcasting
The Government's response begins, but will not end, with the formal document tabled on November 6. Several recommendations in the Standing Committee Report call for new or increased funding. These recommendations will be considered during the customary priority-setting exercises that are part of the federal budget process. As well, many of the issues the Committee addressed are complex and interrelated, and call for further analysis and policy development before any decisions are taken. The following are highlights of the Government's response:
- The Government is proud of what the Canadian broadcasting system has accomplished for this nation over the years and agrees with the Committee that the objectives of the Broadcasting Act are still valid, and that Canadian programming can draw Canadian viewers.
- The Government agrees that there is a need to clarify the mandates of agencies and programs that support or regulate Canadian broadcasting. The Government will make sure that they are aligned and integrated in pursuit of the goals of the broadcasting system, including those of attracting and growing audiences.
- The Government agrees the Canadian Television Fund (CTF) can play an integral role in the support system for Canadian programming, but its worth must be measured in terms of its ability to attract audiences, especially to English-language drama. The CTF must also continue to encourage Aboriginal, regional, and minority official-language programming.
- The Government believes that broadcasters' access to the Canadian Television Fund should be measured in terms of their ability to attract and grow audiences. The measurement of audiences should be tailored to the different genres of programming. As well, it must be noted that the CBC, as a national public broadcaster, has a unique mandate not shared by private broadcasters.
- The Government confirms CBC as a unique and essential part of the Canadian broadcasting landscape. It is particularly important that the CBC better communicate its plans and priorities, and improve its accountability to Canadians.
- The Government will consider a review and clarification of the mandate of Telefilm Canada, involving public consultations.
- To maintain coherence within the broadcasting system and to ensure agencies are better aligned in pursuit of the policy objectives of the Broadcasting Act, the Government agrees it may be necessary to give policy direction to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).
- The Government will address the important issues of the increasing demand for Canadian content as a condition for broadcast licences, and the capacity of the public and private sectors to fund the production of such content. It cannot be assumed that the Government will increase funding to meet the demand.
- The Government will consider centralizing the certification of Canadian content by expanding the responsibilities of the Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office (CAVCO). The Government will consult further on the possible replacement of the ten-point assessment system used to evaluate the "Canadianness" of programs.
- The Government is working to redesign the tax credit system for Canadian producers. The goal is to make the system simpler and more effective.
- The Government has tabled Bill C-52, which revises the Radiocommunication Act to better control the importation of satellite receivers, raise fines for satellite piracy, and set statutory damages for those who suffer financial damages due to such illegal activity.
- The Government agrees that further study of Part II licence fees is warranted. The Department of Canadian Heritage will consider the issue in a timely manner.
- An analysis of the foreign ownership question will begin immediately and the results of that work should be known in the spring of 2004.
- The Government will consider the issues of cross-media ownership after the study by the Senate Committee on Transport and Communications is completed.
- The Department of Canadian Heritage will work with other federal departments, agencies and stakeholders to study the policy and objectives associated with the digital transition in Canada. New policies may be developed as a result of this work.
- Canada has led international efforts to develop ground rules in international trade agreements with respect to cultural diversity and artistic expression. A UNESCO decision in October 2003 committed the international body to continue work on this front.
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