OTTAWA, August 17, 2004 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Liza Frulla today announced the appointment of a three-member expert panel on access to third-language public broadcasting services from around the world. Clifford Lincoln, Roger Tassé, and Anthony Cianciotta have been asked to examine the issues surrounding the increased demand for access to a wider range of television services that reflect Canada's growing multicultural population.The Government considers the panel's review of public policy to be complementary to the CRTC's study of its own processes when handling applications to make foreign-owned third-language services available in Canada. The CRTC announced its own review on July 15, 2004."Canadians expect and demand a broadcasting system that reflects the richness of our multicultural society," said Minister Frulla. "These three panel members bring a wealth of expertise and experience in the broadcasting field to the table. I am confident they will provide thoughtful advice that will help facilitate access to third-language public television services."The panel is to give particular attention to the following issues: - The current availability to Canadians of third-language television services, both those that are Canadian-licensed services and those that are listed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) as eligible non-Canadian services. - Analysis of the implications for existing Canadian-licensed third-language services of increasing the number of non-Canadian, third-language, public television services distributed on a digital basis. - Recommendations for how the Government could give Canadians greater access to third-language, non-Canadian public television services, while respecting Canadian values and the broadcasting policy objectives set out in the Broadcasting Act."It is important that we consider the need to ensure the continued vibrancy of Canadian broadcasters who provide third-language services," said the Minister. "This panel will take a look at the current availability of third-language services, the direction we would like to take and how to get there in a manner that reflects Canadian values."The panel will examine the issues from a policy perspective, with an eye to determining how to better reflect diversity. The panel will be asked to complete its report to the Minister of Canadian Heritage by September 30, 2004 and will also be asked to file its report with the CRTC by October 13, 2004 to be considered by the Commission during its review process. With the CRTC process and the panel report, the Government will have the necessary information to ensure that the Canadian broadcasting system is more responsive to the needs and interests of all Canadians. Clifford Lincoln, former Member of Parliament for Lac-Saint-Louis, was Chair of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage when it completed its study on Canadian Broadcasting, Our Cultural Sovereignty - The Second Century of Canadian Broadcasting, in June 2003.Roger Tassé practises law in Ottawa with Gowlings legal firm. He had a long career in the federal government and was Co-Chair of the Federal Task Force on the Canadian Magazine Industry in 1994, and a member of the Direct-to-Home Satellite Policy Review Panel in 1995. Anthony Cianciotta is President of Capri Release Inc., and one of the industry's leading experts in the theatrical distribution and exhibition of motion pictures. He is a member of the faculty of Ryerson Polytechnic Institute. Information:Linda L. KristalDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Canadian Heritage(819) 997-7788
