Thanks very much.
Thank you, Mr. Gaffield, for your presentation.
I think what I'd like to do ideally is set two issues aside, one of which is the issue of intellectual property rights and copyright, and say, okay, we're going to deal with that. The government has been looking at that. We've had broad consultations, and I think opposition members as well have been looking at that, and obviously looking at how we're going to address the issues around intellectual property rights and copyright law in general. I want to set that aside.
What I want to talk about is the opportunity that new media presents, because I think that's what you got into, and I hope that's where this study is going. There are those who are afraid of change, frankly, and I think we hear an awful lot of messages from those who are afraid of change. Certainly, new media presents significant change, and you've referenced that a number of times. We're talking about significant differences and so forth.
To steal a line from one of my favourite shows, Star Trek, I want to boldly go forward with this and look at what's possible. I think it's just incredible that we live in an age where anyone can be a broadcaster, anyone can be a recording artist. And anyone can send that message out globally. We're not limited by antennas. We're not limited by frequency. We're not limited by borders. I think it's such an incredible opportunity.
Within that context of opportunity, I'd like to see this committee undertake a study whereby we really analyze the opportunity and we get at how we can give Canada an advantage moving forward with this new technology, with this new media--if it's even new anymore. I think what we're talking about is digital media, and it's not that new.
To Charlie's point, I think in regard to a lot of the things that we're talking about as new, for a few folks in here, we're not as young as we used to be. By the time I see something that's new, somebody else has already mastered it.
What should our terms of reference be, in your opinion, if we're going to give Canada an advantage moving forward so that we're ready to take full advantage of the opportunity that this digital presents to us? I'm less concerned about whether or not we can protect Canada's identity and more excited about the opportunity that Canadians can actually reach the globe with all the talent that we have.