Source: Liberal Party of Canada

MONTREAL – Liberal MPs Pablo Rodriguez and Marc Garneau published an open letter last week stressing that the foreign ownership rules for broadcasting companies – as stated in the Broadcasting Act – must be preserved.
 
“Canadian culture is much too important to our collective identity for us to allow foreign companies to control our broadcasting industry,” said Liberal Critic for Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez. “Since 2006, many of the Conservative government's actions have demonstrated that their vision for culture is starkly different than ours. The Conservatives' decision to cut the PromArt and Trade Routes programs in 2008 is just one example of Conservative narrow-mindedness.”
 
In November 2009, the Harper government made a decision with regards to Globalive Communications Corporation, which significantly changed the interpretation of Canada's foreign ownership rules, despite objections from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's (CRTC). This decision was announced without consulting Parliament and could have far reaching consequences.

“Any consideration of the Telecommunications Act must be done in the open, transparently and in consultation with Canadians,” added Liberal Critic for Industry, Science and Technology Marc Garneau. “We must ensure that any integrated companies working in both telecommunications and broadcasting continue to remain Canadian property.”

“Canadian television and radio stations must remain Canadian," said Mr Rodriguez. “Otherwise, if a foreign company takes over a television or radio station here, there's a good chance Canadian content will fall to the wayside. Thanks to Canadian productions, our culture is currently in the spotlight abroad.”

Open letter to Mr. Harper - pdf

© Liberal Party of Canada