The question is with regard to the impact of changes in foreign ownership rules, including legislative and regulatory changes, on Canadian content and culture.
In June of last year the government released a consultation paper inviting views on foreign investment in telecommunications and noting that foreign investment restrictions on broadcasting are not being considered.
This decision is explained by the fact that policy objectives under the Telecommunications Act and the Broadcasting Act are distinct. Strategic issues relating to telecommunications networks differ greatly from those regarding broadcasting and content.
Broadcasting plays a key role in developing, protecting, and promoting Canadian culture, and the Broadcasting Act is primarily cultural in nature. The Telecommunications Act, by contrast, is primarily economic in nature. All major telecom and cable providers in Canada, such as Bell, Telus, Rogers, and Videotron, are regulated under the two acts. The Broadcasting Act applies to their subscription television services such as Bell's IPTV service and Rogers cable service. The telecom act applies to telecom services such as Internet service, fixed telephony, and wireless telephony.
Independent of telecom foreign investment restrictions, provisions of the Broadcasting Act remain in place. Canada's broadcasting system will continue to be supported by a number of policy, regulatory, and funding provisions in place to achieve the objectives of Canada's broadcasting policy.
It was very clear from the consultation paper that the government will not consider anything that might impair its ability to pursue Canadian cultural content policy objectives. In November, Minister Clement indicated that the foreign investment rules for telecom and decisions concerning the next 700 megahertz spectrum option will be considered together as part of an integrated regulatory approach.
Let us turn to the last slide.
At the November 22 International Institute of Communications conference, Minister Clement articulated his vision of a globally competitive Canadian digital economy, which is characterized by innovation and enhanced productivity, which in turn results in enduring prosperity.
Minister Clement indicated that the digital economy strategy will become a key plank of the post-economic action plan governmental agenda, with a focus on supporting jobs of tomorrow and economic growth to ensure future prosperity. He highlighted a broad objective for Canada to be a nation where business, community, and individuals have the skills needed to use digital technologies to their advantage, and where a globally competitive information and communication technology sector supplies more markets with more innovative products and more new services.
Federal action alone will not achieve this objective. It will require collaborative action across the economy. Industry, provinces, and individual Canadians must all play their part. In that context, the government is focusing its efforts in five priority areas.
The first is to facilitate the development of a world-class infrastructure. This is essential for business to adopt ICTs and innovate and for Canada to attract investment.
Second is supporting business adoption of digital technologies to boost productivity and innovation. Adoption of digital technologies is essential to improving Canada's lagging productivity and innovation performance, especially for small business.
The third is to enable a digitally skilled workforce. A leading digital economy will require a workforce with the skills and creativity to develop and use new global digital technologies.
The fourth is to help successful Canadian companies supply digital technologies to the world. A globally competitive Canadian digital industry will protect high-paying jobs, attract investment, and provide a trusted supply of critical technologies.
The final priority is to create the conditions necessary to realize Canadian content on all digital platforms. This will help to profile Canada as a creative and innovative nation.
As part of the collective national effort needed to realize a successful digital economy, Minister Clement met with his provincial and territorial counterparts on January 13 and 14 to discuss key issues pertaining to the digital economy. The meeting was very positive, and the ministers left with a shared agreement on the importance of the digital economy. Officials will be following up with work in some key areas.