Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My name is Jason Kee. I am the director of policy and legal affairs with the Entertainment Software Association of Canada. ESAC is the industry association representing companies in Canada that make, market, and distribute games for video game consoles, hand-held and mobile devices, personal computers, and the Internet.
Video games are the fastest growing entertainment medium in the world, with some blockbuster titles rivalling Hollywood movies in terms of sales and excitement. In 2011, Canadian retail sales of entertainment software and hardware grew by 3% to reach $2.5 billion. Sales are currently projected to continue growing and obtain revenues of $3 billion by 2016.
Canada has established itself as a world leader in the development of video games. Canadian game publishers and developers create some of the most successful titles. Canada is now the third most successful producer of video games in the world, second only to the United States and Japan. We are first on a per capita basis. The Canadian entertainment software industry has expanded at a phenomenal rate, and is projected to grow at 17% over the next two years despite a challenging economic climate.