Speeches - 2006 - Archives

The Honourable Beverley J. Oda

Speaking Notes

for

The Honourable Beverley J. Oda,
Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women

At the Banff World Television Festival

Banff, Alberta
June 11, 2006

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Thank you for that kind introduction and the warm welcome back to Banff.

Over the years I have been with you here in Banff as a member of the Board of Directors, as a broadcaster, as a CRTC Commissioner, and as a Member of Parliament.

Even though back then I was able to find some time to go to the spa, golf and see many sights in this beautiful part of Canada, I have to say that this year is special.

To be representing the Government of Canada as the Minister of Canadian Heritage is a role I never could have imagined.

Over the past 27 years, Banff has become a festival:

• where future trends of the industry are formed and forwarded, and
  
  
• where business and industry meet to pursue opportunities and strengthen partnerships.

And being with you this afternoon as the Minister is a privilege because these are truly exciting times for your industries — in Canada and beyond.

I hope you would all agree with me that these are indeed good times for broadcasting — an industry that touches the lives of Canadians, in all parts of our country, every single day.

Broadcasting and the production sector are vital elements in Canada's economy.

In 2004, television's revenues totalled more than $ 13 billion, employing over 49,000 people.

The independent production sector is responsible for 120,000 jobs, while the radio industry employs close to 10,000.

These numbers reflect the strong foundations of your industries.

They reflect the dynamic changes that have occurred within the broadcasting system in Canada.

In the TV sector, over the past six or seven years, 100 new Canadian digital specialty services have been introduced.

Added to this are some 17 new pay, pay-per-view and video-on-demand services.

And, in addition to the hundreds of available French- and English-language radio and television services, and the 55 Aboriginal services, there are now more than 150 non-Canadian third-language satellite services.

This means that our constantly evolving demographics has resulted in adapting to a dynamic audience, with changing tastes.

Canadians, especially younger Canadians, are increasingly moving away from traditional media choices and exploring options like iPods and the Sling box and increasingly using portable devices.

These technological advances will drive more changes in consumer behaviour. 

They have fragmented the market, are challenging your business models and introducing new competition.
Who would have thought, even five years ago,

: that major networks would release their programs for download the next day,

: that ring tones would generate millions of dollars,

: or that in the space of a few short months, webcast, podcast and mobile video would be a new and emerging part of the landscape?

Along with this unprecedented rate of change, are the effects of globalization on the economics of your industries.

Media companies in Canada and around the world are responding by consolidating, launching new services, and exploring new media.

We have come a long way since 1919, when the first Canadian broadcasting licence was issued. 

It is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between the formerly separate industries of broadcasting, telecommunications, and the Internet.

As well, the lines between their respective regulations are being blurred.

This convergence means all sectors must innovate and respond to changing realities.

We need to work together to come up with solutions that work for broadcasters, for the production industry and to the benefit of all Canadians.

All of our industries need positive solutions or risk being left behind.

Other nations began to build the policy framework for the new digital world decades ago. 

Unfortunately Canada did not.

I am committed to working with our private and public broadcasters, creators and producers to make sure we are not left behind, ensuring each sector is strong. 

Without a doubt, there are challenges.

But also unbelievable opportunities to strengthen the sectors and ensure Canadians have the programming choices and services they demand.
For Canada to remain a world-leader in broadcasting, we must work together to harness the potential.

For the federal government, this means – first – getting a better picture of what the broadcasting and media environment may look like in the future.

That is why I am pleased to announce that the government will draw upon the expertise of the CRTC to examine the future technological environment facing the entire broadcasting industry.

The Commission will be asked to gather and synthesize input from Canadian stakeholders and informed sources and present their impartial findings to the government.

More specifically, we are asking the CRTC to examine:

: the current state of audio-video technologies and their forecasted evolution over the coming years;

: how different generations of Canadians use technology and what this will mean in the future;

: the changes in the demand for various types of programming, and

: the impact of technologies on the broadcasting system and the services provided.

We are also very interested to hear how these future realities will affect all elements of broadcasting —

: from broadcasters to independent producers

: from advertisers to distributors, and

: from creators to Canadian audiences.

I have requested that the CRTC present its report by December 14^th of this year.

The Chair, Mr. Dalfen, will be speaking to you tomorrow to discuss this and other CRTC regulatory initiatives.

The CRTC report will complement the picture of technological change that was started last spring, when the Telecommunications Policy Review Panel reviewed Canada's telecommunications policy and regulatory framework.

I will continue to work closely with my colleague, the Minister of Industry Maxime Bernier, on issues affecting your industries as he considers the recommendations made in that report.

This government recognizes that our work across the broadcasting and telecommunications sectors must be coordinated, comprehensive and collaborative.

And to fulfill its responsibilities of policy making, the government needs to better understand the future of the broadcasting industry and audiences in this new era. 

The fact-based study will provide us with the necessary information to help make needed policy decisions and formulate the framework in which the media, broadcasting, and electronic cultural content industries will move forward.

Our government firmly believes that it is the role of government to make public policy, and to be accountable to Canadians for those policies.

Regarding our public broadcaster, as the Minister of Canadian Heritage, let me assure you that this government does support CBC – Radio Canada.

Let me be clear — the CBC / SRC will remain Canada's public broadcaster, in both official languages.

It is important that we ensure our national public broadcaster plays a meaningful and relevant role as we move forward into this new century.

Like all parts of the broadcasting system, it is facing challenges created by technology, the growth of the private sector and a new broadcasting economy.

And like all segments of the system, it must respond to these challenges.

The services provided by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and la Société Radio-Canada represent the largest public element of our system.

It is greatly valued by Canadians in all parts of the country.

Through radio, television and other new media platforms — it speaks to Canadians in English, French, and a number of Aboriginal languages, while providing the most Canadian content programming.

We owe it to Canadians to ensure that the CBC / SRC meets their expectations and is strongly seen as our national public broadcaster in the 21^st century.

The CBC/SRC has to be one of the most enduring topics of debate since its inception.

Debate around:

• the types of services it should offer;
  
  
• what genre of programming and content it should present; and
  
  
• its accountability to all Canadians;

These debates occur as each generation passes through different stages in their lives.

And so — we acknowledge that for this generation and the next, the same debate and questioning must take place.

The public broadcaster does not exist in isolation; rather it is one facet of a larger, interrelated national system.

The future of the CBC / SRC will impact private broadcasters, producers, creators — the entire industry.

Our government will be working towards ensuring Canada's public broadcaster continues to have a place as the media and broadcasting world evolves.

Having said that, the priority of this government is to take action, look to the future and to move in sequence.

This is why we are going to start by gaining some valuable information on the technological realities of the entire system.

And why I am pleased to be able to announce the section 15 directive to the CRTC, an important starting point in addressing the future of broadcasting in Canada.

Like many of you here, I have been involved with the broadcasting and production sectors, in one form or another, for many years.

When I started my television career in 1973, the 500-channel universe was a futuristic concept.

And I think we had moved from 45 records to cassettes.

Times have changed, but one thing has remained constant.

Innovation and technology are largely responsible for the watershed moments in broadcasting history.

Decades ago colour television replaced black and white, cable TV led to the extinction of rabbit-ears, and vinyl records were replaced by tape.

And yes — I am old enough to have witnessed those changes.

Once again, quantum leaps in technology are radically changing your industries, challenging the entire system — the production, television, radio, and distribution sectors.

Today, we need to focus on how the media environment will affect the future of the industry.

Responding to dated reports doesn't give us any insight into what is coming around the bend.

We need to be ready for new audiences, new business models and new media demands.

Our Prime Minister promised flexibility so that your industries can respond effectively in a new media world.

The consequence of doing nothing is taking the risk of being left behind.

Simply put, the status quo is not good enough.

The industry is at a turning point.

But government can't do it all.

The CRTC's study of the future technological environment facing your industries — will serve as a building block for broadcasting policy in the future.

It will help the government determine what steps must be taken in the short term and through a transition period so each element of our telecommunications and broadcasting systems will continue to thrive as we move ahead in this new century.

As leaders in this dynamic industry, I invite you to seize upon this opportunity to maximize on the changes we have seen as well as those that are developing.

By building on the strength of our broadcasting system, we will continue to inform and entertain Canadians with the best in Canadian productions and programming.

Strong Canadian programming choices must be present on every platform that new technologies offer.

Only by looking forward, meeting the challenges and turning opportunity into successes will we maintain the vitality and quality of our broadcasting and creative industries.

I hope you are as encouraged as I am by all the possibilities that lie ahead.

There is a strong history of success between stakeholders and the government.

In the past, you have offered concrete and well thought out ideas about how best to build your industries.

I invite you to work with the CRTC in their study.

And I am sure you will support us in our work on what Canada's public broadcaster will look like in the future.

Together we will succeed in modernizing and strengthening our entire broadcasting system.

Our goals are the same.

We want to offer Canadians the best television possible and the widest choice possible.

We want to lay the foundations for a modern, profitable and forward-looking television industry.

We want a broadcasting system — public and private — that continues to stand out in the world and that serves as a model for our neighbours all around the globe.

This is what I ask you to work toward with me over the coming months.

Thank you, good luck, and enjoy the Festival.