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INDEPENDENT PRODUCERS SUPPORT CRTC’S CONTINUED LIGHTHANDED APPROACH TO THE INTERNET
Producers urge federal government to launch consultations to develop a national digital strategy for Canada

Ottawa, June 4, 2009—The Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA) supports today’s decision by the CRTC to keep the Internet exempt from regulation. But the Association is disappointed the Commission chose not to take specific measures to take Canadian new media content creation to a higher level to better compete on a global scale.

The CFTPA and other groups had asked the Commission to require Internet and wireless service providers to make financial contributions to a fund to support the development and creation of high-quality Canadian new media broadcasting content. The CRTC chose not to do so at this time.

“We believe the CRTC has missed a perfect opportunity to promote Canadian new media content,” says Norm Bolen, President and CEO, CFTPA. “There just aren’t enough dollars in the small Canadian market for new media producers to compete with global entertainment conglomerates. Additional sources of funding and ‘front-of-store’ shelf space for Canadian content online would go a long way to helping Canadian companies better compete in the digital world.”

Today’s CRTC announcement echoes the CFTPA’s call for the federal government to launch national consultations to develop a national Digital Media Strategy for Canada. The CFTPA, which represents more than 400 small- and medium-sized businesses, believes that independent producers, broadcasters, and all other industry stakeholders must unite to map a legislative and regulatory framework for the new digital generation. Other countries, such as Britain, France, and Australia have already launched initiatives towards such a goal. Canada needs to follow their lead.

On behalf of its members, the CFTPA has been trying to negotiate “Terms of Trade” agreements with broadcasters to create a predictable business environment around the issue of rights over all platforms, including the Internet and mobile. The Association fully supports the CRTC’s expectation that broadcasters and the independent production sector negotiate Terms of Trade to resolve digital rights issues to allow the Canadian broadcasting system – and Canadians – to take full advantage of the new media environment.

The CFTPA is a non-profit, trade association representing almost 400 companies in the Canadian production industry. The association promotes the general interests of Canadian producers by lobbying government on policy matters, negotiating labour agreements, and offering mentorship programs and copyright initiatives.

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For further information please call:

Anne Trueman
Director of Communications & Media
Canadian Film and Television Production Association
Tel: 613 233 1444 ex 227 | Web: www.cftpa.ca