Will foreign investment hurt broadcasting, or is that just ancient thinking?

By Perry Hoffman

OTTAWA - The tightly knit nature of the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors makes it impossible to open telecom markets to greater foreign investment without negatively affecting Canadian culture in some way, Friends of Canadian Broadcasting told the Standing Committee on Industry this week. Ian Morrison, a spokesperson for Friends, highlighted the integrated nature of Canada’s largest communications and broadcasting companies during his opening remarks pointing Rogers Communications, Bell Canada and Quebecor. If Rogers were owned by foreigners, it would have to sell Rogers Media. Similarly, Bell couldn’t control Bell TV, he said. “Disposing of these key broadcasting assets would destabilize...