Good afternoon, Mr. Chair and members of the standing committee.
We submitted a detailed brief early last week, and we trust that you've had a chance to review it.
My name is Norm Bolen. Three weeks ago today, I was appointed president and CEO of the Canadian Film and Television Production Association. Presenting with me is John Barrack. He is the association's national executive vice-president and counsel. Fortunately for me, John has been with the organization for close to ten years, and he's well versed in all CFTPA affairs as well as in all issues related to the independent production industry.
I am privileged and honoured to be leading the CFTPA. As many of you know, we are the national association that represents some 400 Canadian independent film, television, and interactive media production companies. These companies do business in every area of the country.
Before joining the association, I was the executive vice-president, content, for Alliance Atlantis Communications. I had overall programming responsibility for 13 Canadian specialty networks. I was also responsible for Alliance Atlantis's web-based and emerging new media content and for all broadcast operations. Previous to that, I spent 21 years at the CBC. There I was a journalist and an executive, including the head of network television current affairs. Most recently, I was a director with mDialog. This is an online high-definition video-sharing service.
I also served as chair of the Banff World Television Festival. I co-chaired the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, and I'm a director of the National Screen Institute.
Why do I tell you all that? As you can tell, my entire career has been about Canadian content, television broadcasting, and new distribution platforms. I believe strongly that television broadcasting in Canada is now at a crossroads. The key decisions to be made over the near term by officials, including the CRTC, will lay a foundation that will define our system for the next generation of Canadians.
We believe that we owe it to Canadians to ensure that a solid foundation is in place, a foundation that supports a strong, meaningful, and distinct television broadcasting system. But let us be clear: Such a foundation will exist only if Canadian independent producers and the content they create are recognized as cornerstones. This will ensure that the programming available on our broadcasting system is diverse, distinctively Canadian, and inclusive of local communities. Any deviation from such a course would relegate our television broadcasting system to little more than a mammoth pipeline to flood Canada with foreign, mostly American, content.
Looking at the communications sector from a macro perspective, it is safe to say that we are well into a digital revolution. This will undoubtedly continue to have a profound effect on Canadian society, our economy, and our culture. This is why we are advocating the need for a digital media strategy for Canada. Britain, France, and Australia have all launched such initiatives in the last year, and they have done so to secure their places at the forefront of the global digital economy. Canada must not fall behind in this area. Ensuring a concerted strategy for Canada will mean stronger social, cultural, and economic prosperity for Canadians as we move further into a knowledge-based technology era.
We encourage the standing committee to give serious consideration to recommending the launch of national consultations towards this goal. Such a review should take into account the need for a modernized legislative and regulatory framework. It should also examine the role of key federal institutions.
Lastly, the review must also look at how to improve our system of financial support to the independent production sector.
Go ahead, John.