OTTAWA – The Canadian Film and Television Production Association is urging Industry Minister Tony Clement to be “vigilant” and “not submit to the current pressures being exerted” in his review of Globalive Wireless.
In letter dated November 9, the CFTPA said that Minister Clement has its “strong support for holding firm to the current Canadian ownership and control requirements in the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors”.
“We believe that the current ownership and control rules are a positive force in the Canadian economy”, reads the letter, which is signed by president and CEO Norm Bolen. “They are necessary to ensure that Canadians have a real presence in these important industries, and that they have the ability to compete effectively with foreign entities. They have fostered the development of Canadian businesses and created the opportunity for Canadian companies in these sectors to attract investment and expand into the global marketplace.”
As Cartt.ca reported earlier this week, the Minister has asked incumbent telcos and others involved in the review process to submit additional information as he reviews the CRTC’s decision to prevent Globalive from entering the Canadian marketplace on the basis that is not Canadian-owned and controlled.
“We believe that there continues to be a very strong policy rationale for holding firm to the current ownership and control regime”, the letter continues. “Allowing foreign interests to control our telecommunications and broadcasting sectors – which together are the backbone of Canada’s burgeoning digital economy – could ultimately undermine Canada’s international competitiveness. It could equally put at risk our ability to maintain and enhance Canada’s national identity and cultural sovereignty. We do not believe that Canadians today are prepared to abandon the fundamental principle of being able to control their own destiny by putting Canada’s future prosperity in the hands of foreign interests.”
The CFTPA is a non-profit trade association representing approximately 400 film, television and interactive media companies in Canada.
