OTTAWA – In Canada’s broadcast and communications industry, knowledge is power. The CWC 2013 Jeanne Sauvé Career Development program is designed to give women both. Whether you work in the private or public sector, the programs give you a "backstage pass" to learn how the other half lives.
The intensive learning experience is designed to give five participants (one each from Industry Canada, Canadian Heritage and the CRTC, and two from private-sector organizations) new perspectives, insights and direct access to some of the industry’s most influential policy and regulatory decision makers, as well as new…
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WHISTLER – Operating in a relatively small market, Canadians have learned to produce great product for less cost than many countries it competes with argues Michael Hennessy, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Media Production Association. Speaking today at the China Canada Gateway luncheon held at the Whistler Film Festival, Hennessy said Canada’s status as “Country of Honour” at the MIPCOM TV market this year underscores the nation’s success.
In a speech entitled “Thinking outside the Lens and Beyond Our Borders; A New Strategy for Film in Canada,” he maintained that while quality…
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EDMONTON – Local radio programming to Aboriginal communities in Northern Alberta will continue to benefit from local radio programming, with a leg up from the Government of Canada.
This week, Brent Rathgeber, MP for Edmonton-St. Albert announced funding for the Aboriginal Multi-Media Society of Alberta (AMMSA) for the production and broadcast of radio programming. He made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.
The $354,700 of funding will support 168 hours of radio programming per week, of which 12.5 hours will be in Cree and three hours in other languages including Dene,…
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MONTREAL – The federal government has renewed Michel Roy's mandate as Chair of Telefilm Canada's Board for five years, Heritage Minister James Moore has announced.
"We are delighted with this announcement," said Carolle Brabant, executive director of Telefilm Canada. "For the last five years, Michel Roy's experience and leadership have significantly helped us to redefine our corporate vision, strengthen ties with our clients and partners, as well as making our business practices more efficient. It's with great pleasure that we continue our work at Telefilm to promote the Canadian industry and talent."
Roy is an administrator and a creator who has…
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OTTAWA – Does the “Made in Canada” brand matter to Canadians when it comes to their television and film content? Does it matter internationally? If so, how can the industry better promote it to make it matter?
Those were some of the questions discussed Monday during the pre-conference symposium on the promotion of Canadian film and TV content held in conjunction with the International Institute of Communications annual Canadian conference here in Ottawa. Sponsored by Telefilm Canada, the Canada Media Fund and the CRTC, the symposium delegates tried to come up with ways of better-promoting Canadian film and TV in…
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OTTAWA – Jean-Pierre Blais wasted little time during his keynote at IIC Canada’s annual conference Monday in restating that the interests of Canadians as consumers, creators and citizens will be of utmost importance to the CRTC during his mandate as chairman.
An example of how he will make sure individual Canadians are front and centre will be when the CBC/Radio-Canada appears before the Commission next month for its licence renewal hearing. “I don’t think our proceedings should be attended only by people who are paid to be there in their official capacity. Let’s level the playing field,” he said. “We’ve offered evening sessions…
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TORONTO – The Canada Media Fund (CMF) says its program budget helped trigger more than $1.3 billion in production volume in 2011/12, according to its just-released online annual report that outlines its role in shaping Canada’s creative economy and digital future.
“The Canada Media Fund achieved unprecedented funding levels that enabled us to build on the previous year’s successes and to continue to provide valuable and measurable support to Canada’s television and digital media industry,” said Valerie Creighton, President and CEO in a statement. “The overall program budget dedicated to the creation of Canadian screen-based…
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OTTAWA – Bell Canada claims the CRTC, in its decision to kill the company's $3.4 billion takeover of Astral Media, ignored its own rules, created a bunch of new ones, was based on incorrect market share calculations and because of that it has asked the federal government to directly step in.
Calling the CRTC decision “absurd,” on Monday, BCE Inc. submitted a request to the federal Cabinet that it issue a policy direction under Section 7 of the Broadcasting Act that directs the CRTC to follow its existing policies when reviewing change of control transactions in broadcasting,…
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OTTAWA – In his first public appearance as chair of the CRTC where he was the one answering and not asking the questions, Jean-Pierre Blais gave the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage a brief look at the direction and the future he envisions for the Regulator so many Canadians (including some MPs) misunderstand.
Chairman Blais has already put his stamp on the CRTC by signalling rather overtly that under his watch the Commission will be consumer, or citizen-focused like never before. He has already hired a chief consumer officer, Barbara Motzney and during the hearing into…
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OTTAWA – It may not have all the drama of the Obama vs Romney debate, but new CRTC chairman Jean-Pierre Blais’ faceoff Thursday afternoon before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage promises to be far more informative. The committee is charged with examining the role and future mandate of the CRTC.
It will be a reversal of fortune for Chairman Blais who will be answering, not asking, the questions when he meets with MPs for the first time since he took over as head of the CRTC this past June. The meeting gets under way tomorrow afternoon…
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