Media union calls for clarity in Harper's foreign investment planSep 12, 2008 Source : Canada NewsWireTORONTO, Sept. 12 /CNW/ - Prime Minister Stephen Harper's plan to liberalize foreign investment in Canada avoids the question of what a Conservative government would do about ownership rules in the broadcasting sector."Citizens should know whether a Harper government would allow foreign investors to own media companies in this country or not," says Lise Lareau, president of the Canadian Media Guild. Currently, non-Canadians can own a maximum of 33.3% of shares at the holding company level of telecommunications or broadcasting businesses. Harper's plan to open up foreign investment is based on a June report called "Compete to Win," which was commissioned by his government. The report recommends that foreign investment restrictions on both broadcasting and telecommunications be relaxed "following a review of broadcasting and cultural policies." Harper didn't mention the media industry in his campaign announcement today. "Under this government, broadcaster Alliance Atlantis was allowed to be sold to CanWest Global Communications Corp., with U-S investment bank Goldman Sachs holding the actual purse strings," adds Lareau. "Does Harper intend to allow more foreign ownership of the media if he is re-elected? Canadians deserve a straight answer to this question before October 14." © Canada NewsWire
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Mar 18, 2010 — The changing faces of our cultural institutions by Henry AubinColumnist says it's possible for cultural institutions like the CBC to attract bigger and younger audiences without lowering standards. Mar 16, 2010 — The fight is on for Canadian communications and culture by Fred WilsonMedia union executive says the fate of Canada's broadcasting industry is linked to the decisions being made in telecom and book-selling by the Conservative government. Mar 16, 2010 — Wood firestorm is spreading by Henry AubinColumnist says the decision to remove a popular CBC Radio host in Montreal is only a symptom of a more fundamental problem with the public broadcaster. Mar 16, 2010 — An Express-Lane for the InternetA new way of transferring data may allow Internet service providers to accommodate large file transfer, like movies, at a reasonable price for customers. Mar 15, 2010 — Canwest sale moves forward by Doug WardCanwest has announced that an unspecified number of suitors have been invited to participate in Phase 2 of the sale process, which will involve management presentations, site visits and further due diligence. Mar 15, 2010 — Foreign ownership rules: The plot thickens by Omar el Akkad and Marina StraussColumnists say Ottawa's review of Amazon.com bid to set up shop in Canada is one of several steps that the Harper government is taking to loosen its restrictions on foreign ownership in an array of cultural industries. Mar 15, 2010 — Book-sales rules about competition, not culture by Michael GeistColumnist says greater retail competition for books will increase the availability of Canadian publications. Mar 15, 2010 — Failed auction for Globalive cost taxpayers millions by Brent FullardIndustry analyst says Stephen Harper's decision to overrule the CRTC and allow Globalive to proceed with its wireless service in Canada, cost taxpayers many tens, if not hundreds of millions of dollars. |
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