TORONTO – Prime Minister Stephen Harper was on hand Friday for the formal inauguration of Asian Television Network’s new high definition digital broadcast centre and studios in Markham.
In addition to greeting staff, the PM had a glimpse of ATN's huge programming library and archives, watched a short video presentation of the broadcaster’s 35 year history, and participated in a televised interview with ATN president and CEO Dr. Shan Chandrasekar.
"First of all, let me say, Shan, that I was delighted to tour your facility and cut the ribbon – you have a great operation and we are very impressed”, said Prime Minister Harper, in the interview. “This is a great Canadian success story and this is the model that the Government wants to see. Here is a Canadian operation, that is growing, that is successful, that has a global presence and you are providing consumers with services that they want and they get to choose and I think it is just fantastic, so congratulations to what you and your team have done."
Dr. Chandrasekar called Harper’s words “highly motivating and reassuring as we continue our journey with optimism and pride, as an independent broadcaster of discretionary services in a regulated Canadian broadcast landscape”.
“Needless to say that the Prime Minister has a vision and aspiration for a Canadian cultural industry which is inclusive of third languages and which enriches the lives of all Canadians and which contributes to economic growth, more jobs, more security and prosperity," he added.
