Canadian Heritage Committee on Feb. 2nd, 2011

[Scott Armstrong, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS]

The first question I have is on the analog spectrum. We spoke of the possible impacts of the analog spectrum on rural and remote areas. I suppose it's an auction of time and space.

Can you elaborate on what those impacts could be?

[Pamela Miller]

I think what we saw introduced in the consultation was questions. The 700-megahertz spectrum has very good propagation qualities. It's excellent for rural and remote areas. We're examining how that spectrum could be used, and the types of coverage and enhanced services that could result from it.

The 700-megahertz spectrum will enable what's called the 4G LTE technology, which really allows mobile broadband, so it could be very beneficial to rural areas.

[Scott Armstrong, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS]

To put it in layman's terms, if you had your iPad or some sort of tablet device, you could actually use it in a mobile way in a remote or rural community, which you couldn't do otherwise.

[Pamela Miller]

Yes, it would enable a broadband application.

[Scott Armstrong, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS]

We should be very careful how we use that process. It could level the playing field between urban areas, which enjoy significant broadband access now, and small rural communities that may currently be at a disadvantage.

[Pamela Miller]

Indeed, and we also need to realize there is something called HSPA , which is high-speed packet access. It is available now to 96% of the Canadian population. It enables broadband access as well. With the 700-megahertz spectrum, it will enable even better high-quality service, faster service.

[Scott Armstrong, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS]

Does it face the same sort of geographic challenges Mr. Richards spoke of, with the small Rocky Mountains and other challenges?

[Pamela Miller]

Wireless is a lot more flexible than wireline. The problem with wireline is it's actually a terrestrial solution, so you have to dig. Wireless is more flexible, but obviously going through mountains is still a challenge. I think that's where the 700-megahertz spectrum has some particular attributes, because it is in the lower frequencies. They have better propagation and can go farther.

[Scott Armstrong, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS]

Is there the opportunity to also improve self-service in areas that are experiencing difficulty now through this technology, or is it not able to do that?

[Pamela Miller]

I think everyone's expecting the 700-megahertz spectrum will be offering more spectrum to enable carriers to offer higher speeds, and it's going to. Generally the more spectrum you have, the more spectrum you can put into the market, and the better off consumers are going to be. We know there's going to be a huge demand for spectrum. All the applications now are demanding a lot of spectrum, so that's one of the main goals: to get that spectrum into usage.

[Scott Armstrong, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS]

Thanks very much for that.

I have an unrelated question. It goes back to what Ms. Fry was mentioning in relation to Mr. Bieber. He was able to exploit his talent and broadcast it across the world. He's on YouTube and other digital technology. What's HRSDC doing to support digital skills in the cultural sector? A lot of artists who are older, or people my age--or Royal's age--may not have the skills to actually upload and do all these things. What's HRSDC doing?

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

It's not a matter of age.

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

It's his haircut.

[Scott Armstrong, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS]

I have hair.

[Louis Beauséjour]

The department has taken a certain number of initiatives specifically with the cultural sector in mind, through the Sector Council Program, among others. We fund various projects, one of which is funded with the Cultural Human Resources Council. This project examines the repercussions of digital technology on the cultural sector. Human Resources Development Canada has invested $440,000 into a study on this topic. The study findings will provide the cultural industry with a better idea of sectors where workers need to improve their skills in order to adapt to leading-edge technology and to prepare for the approaches and jobs of tomorrow. This is clearly one of the areas in which the department is investing in order to support the cultural sector.

Generally speaking, we have a certain number of projects in place for enabling people to develop their own digital skills and to access various media through the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy, or ASETS. We have established a connection between training and labour market demand. This will help aboriginals contribute to the economy. This program enables people to assess their own digital skills and to sign up for training programs on computer and digital skills.

In addition, a survey was conducted of participants in the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers, which provides 55- to 64-year-old workers with skill development services and work experience, as well as employment assistance services. According to the survey, 90% of participants stated that having better computer skills would strongly affect their return to the labour market. Consequently, many projects are related to this initiative and seek to provide older Canadian workers with the opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge that will in turn help them increase their use of digital skills.

This concludes my overview of some ongoing projects.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Mr. Armstrong, did you have anything further?

[Scott Armstrong, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS]

I have one more question.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Yes, go ahead.

[Scott Armstrong, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS]

That was informative.

Not only the federal government is involved in this area. The provinces and the territories also have jurisdiction in several of these areas. What types of activities are going on in provinces that we are partners with, or what provincial activities are being done independently to support cultural integration in the media and the cultural exploitation of the media for Canadian artists and Canadian producers?

[Amanda Cliff]

That's a very good question. I don't know.

[Scott Armstrong, Conservative, Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS]

It would be interesting to know that. We could probably partner in a lot of these different areas.

[Amanda Cliff]

I'm sorry; I apologize. It's not an area that I am an expert in, but I will endeavour to get back to you on that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

You can address your response to the clerk, and he'll have it distributed.

Thank you, Mr. Armstrong.

Go ahead, Mrs. Crombie.

[Bonnie Crombie, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

Many of the witnesses who appeared before our committee testified as to the challenges and pitfalls of vertical integration. Do you have a similar concern with the significant concentration of vertical integration in the industry?

[Amanda Cliff]

Could the member repeat the question? I'm sorry.