Search Results for: industry canada

Radio / Television News

News groups to help build panel to oversee Feds’ journalism aid

GATINEAU – Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez has tapped eight Canadian news organizations to make recommendations for a panel that will help determine the eligibility criteria for tax measures designed to support legacy print media companies. News Media Canada, the Association de la presse francophone, the Quebec Community Newspaper Association, the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada, the Canadian Association of Journalists, the Fédération professionnelle des journalistes du Québec, Unifor and the Fédération nationale des communications will now select candidates for an independent panel that will decide which media organizations are eligible for the Feds’ $595 million journalism… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Wireless Review: Railways, Utilities, want spectrum access, too

GATINEAU – On March 26th of this year, a joint workshop of the Railway Association of Canada (RAC) and Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) of Canada took place in Ottawa where the group adopted three joint resolution statements: Rail and electrical utilities will collaborate in pursuing jointly the access to a Mobile Network Code number as Critical Infrastructure Operator Industries. A working group will be formed ensuring that there is cross-industry awareness and support to each other’s submissions to CRTC. CIOs will look forward to partnering with the Canadian Government in creating a wireless infrastructure, enabling Canada as a world leader in intelligent… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Wireless Review: To MVNO, or not MVNO, or Full MVNO…

GATINEAU – When the CRTC launched its review of mobile wireless services earlier this year it stated: “This proceeding will focus on three key areas: Competition in the retail market; The current wholesale mobile wireless service regulatory framework, with a focus on wholesale MVNO access and the future of mobile wireless services in Canada, with a focus on reducing barriers to infrastructure deployment.” This focus on Mobile Virtual Network Operators sure did not fall in deaf ears – and some players jumped right in with strong support since the high cost of entry into the wireless business means many players… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Committee study into rural digital infrastructure off to an inauspicious start (Updated)

We’re not sure where the MPs get some of their facts OTTAWA – Since January when Nova Scotia MP Bernadette Jordan was appointed Canada’s first Minister of Rural Economic Development, she has met and spoken with Canadians from all walks of life, including those in rural and remote communities from coast to coast to coast. Speaking before the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology on Thursday, Jordan said the number one concern expressed almost unanimously by the people she visited was their need for better internet connectivity. This was the first committee meeting studying private member’s… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

ISED committee to study rural digital infrastructure starting Thursday

OTTAWA – After 276 members of Parliament voted earlier this month to support a private members motion, M-208, which calls for expanded digital infrastructure (wireless and wired) in rural areas, the standing committee on Industry, Science and Technology will begin hearings to study the matter Thursday morning. “I am pleased to see that my colleagues from both sides of the aisle recognized that the lack of cell phone coverage and internet access in rural areas is a public safety issue faced by too many Canadians,” said Liberal MP for Pontiac, William Amos, said earlier this month when his motion passed. Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

Why the Canadian communications system needs its own single ministry

OTTAWA – The federal government should revive the department of communications as part of its review of broadcasting, telecommunications and radiocommunication legislation, a University of Calgary expert on the relationship between communications systems and governments told a conference on Canada’s electronic communications law at the University of Ottawa last week. Rather than having the minister for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada responsible for the Telecommunications Act and Radiocommunication Act, and the Canadian Heritage minister responsible for the Broadcasting Act, “we need a ministry whose sole purpose is the oversight of the Canadian communication system,” said Gregory Taylor, an assistant… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

CMF’s Encore+ tops 8M views as subscribers dig in to CanCon

TORONTO – The YouTube channel showcasing classic Canadian TV shows and films recently topped 8 million public views and 42,000 subscribers, the Canadian Media Fund announced Monday. Encore+ said that its curated Canadian content has garnered 1.5 million hours of viewed content, with 60% of viewership coming from outside Canada. Content such as Blizzard Island, the award-winning feature film La peau blanche and Le monde merveilleux d’Alice will premiere on Encore+ this month. In association with Canada’s film and television producers, distributors, broadcasters, unions, guilds and other industry associations, Encore+ is spearheaded by the Canada… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Rebranded Game+ channel rolls the dice on sports betting content

TORONTO and LAS VEGAS – Canadian sports fans may now tune in to Vegas-based sports betting show A Numbers Game on Anthem Sports & Entertainment’s newly relaunched Game+ channel. Formerly known as FNTSY Sports Network, Game+ remains the home for fantasy sports gaming news and information, and also features wagering information programming, Esports, high stakes poker, live action sports, wrestling and other action-adventure driven shows and lifestyle programming. From Vegas Stats & Information Network (VSiN) A Numbers Game is a two-hour sports talk show that blends analytics with unique industry insights to deliver actionable sports betting information peppered… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Feds step in to bridge funding shortfall at Telefilm Canada

GATINEAU – The Feds are directing an additional $7.5 million in new funding to Telefilm Canada to help top up a financial shortfall in funding French-language productions in 2019–2020. A statement late Thursday said that Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez was “informed by the industry” that the funds for the selective component of this year’s Telefilm production program “were already almost fully committed.” Combined with the additional $2.5 million found by Telefilm’s executive director Christa Dickenson, the total amount of new funding available for French-language productions is $10 million this year. Minister Rodriguez also named cultural consultant Robert Spickler to chair Telefilm Canada's Board of Directors, and accountant Karen Horcher as a board… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Netflix backs Canadian documentary industry through Forum RIDM partnership

MONTREAL – The Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM) is teaming up with Netflix to help develop Canadian documentary talent. Thursday’s announcement said that the four-year investment by Netflix will allow the RIDM’s annual professional Forum and Talent Lab to “solidify their essential role in the documentary industry in Quebec and across Canada.” The Forum RIDM’s Talent Lab is a closed-circuit laboratory for 20 emerging artists of all types and backgrounds. The program is focused on the participants’ creative process and documentary style, with many participants receiving personalized mentorship.  The partnership with Netflix will enhance the individual and group guidance provided, as… Continue Reading