Funding and copyright issues top concerns as election looms

With a federal election looming, stakeholders in the broadcast industry are ramping up lobby efforts to ensure that their top priorities are on the radar of the three main political parties. While individual stakeholders have different interests, the common concerns regard funding, copyright issues, and the protection of Canadian content. With the emergence of a new digital environment, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) says the party that forms the next government should reform copyright laws and offer direction to the Copyright Board of Canada, despite the uncertainty now facing Bill C-61. “What we are seeking from government is direction which allows more predictability for consumers and broadcasters,” says Pierre Pontbriand, CAB’s VP of communications. The complexity of the digital age, coupled with an increase in applications, also calls for more resources to be funnelled to the Copyright Board, enabling it to operate similarly to the CRTC, says Pontbriand. Bill C-61 would have addressed some copyright issues but once an election is called, it will die on the order paper. Provided there’s interest, the next government will have to re-table the bill, which could take several months. In the meantime, Pontbriand says the government should use existing provisions in the Copyright Act to offer direction to the Copyright Board. Duncan McKie, president and executive director of the Canadian Independent Record Production Association, says if a new government is formed, it should ensure that Bill C-61 is revived and passed. In particular, McKie stresses that steps must be taken to ensure that format shifting does not result in diminishing returns for content producers and owners.“You can’t allow people to continue without restrictions, or else there will be no revenue for Canadian content providers,” he says.In addition, McKie says future government funding to support the recording industry must not be tied to ideology. The Conservative government’s recent cuts to arts groups in Canada are a worrying trend that must not be repeated, he contends.“Everything should not be beholden to the profit motive,” he says. “We run a train between Montreal and Toronto that’s not profitable, but we continue to do it.”In letters addressed to the leaders of the three main political parties, Guy Mayson, president and CEO of the Canadian Film and Television Production Association called on the next government to ensure a viable business environment for independent film and television producers by amending section 3 of the Broadcasting Act.Mayson called for increased funding for the Canadian Television Fund (CTF) and to the Canadian New Media Fund (CNMF). Specifically, he asks that the next government renew funding to the CTF at yearly amounts that match funding provided by BDUs and commit to such funding for at least three to five years. He also called for a renewed funding commitment to the CNMF by an additional $15 million for three to five years. Lastly, Mayson urges a new government in Ottawa to approve $30 million per year—for at least three years—for a co-production fund for official treaty theatrical films. He also recommends enhancement of tax rates to improve production.Ian Morrison, spokesperson for the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, says a new government must ensure that the CBC receives adequate funding, adding that the “cuts to arts programs are getting close to broadcasting.” He warns that the Conservative government has a poor record on arts programs and Canadians must vote for MPs who are advocates for Canadian culture, a move emphasized in posters the group has distributed in Guelph, where a by-election has been called for September 8.Morrison also says a new government must ensure the broadcast industry must be protected from foreign ownership. Though he says foreign ownership has been kept at bay, “there are signs that the Conservative government wants to relax the rules.” In addition, he calls for the independence of the CRTC , urging that it should remain an arms-length organization. “I hear that the cable operators and broadcasters are lobbying the Prime Minister’s Office on fee-for-carriage, and we don’t want the prime minister’s office leaning on the CRTC,” he says.

Funding and copyright issues top concerns as election looms

Broadcast | September 3, 2008

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