Even with the popularity of digital media, independent non-profit community media still play a vital role in informing, engaging, and empowering local communities and marginalized groups. This is especially true in Canada where many communities do not have a local over-the-air station.
At the recent CRTC review of local and community television, numerous community groups and associations passionately described the ways they are trying to step up to provide programming that informs and engages their communities. Independent, community, and campus radio stations have emerged and developed throughout Canada, with approximately 105 community and 46 campus radio stations in operation in 2014. However, in television, more space must be created for the establishment and growth of non-profit community stations that understand and can serve the needs of their communities.
PIAC recommends that the committee recognize and support the ongoing importance of independent non-profit community media, from both a policy and a funding perspective. This could include a heritage study on community media, a national community media strategy, resources that provide training and administrative support to community stations, and initiatives that could provide some ongoing funding to community stations.
In sum, local television is important and can flourish in the future. Even in a digital era, local communities should be able to access programming that serves their needs through as many platforms as possible including, at this time, traditional local television. This will take an approach in which public, private, and community broadcasters all draw from their strengths and resources to fully serve Canadian communities.
Thank you for the opportunity to appear today and we welcome any questions you may have.