Last time we checked, New Zealanders were still watching TV, even though they do not have a single word of law that prevents overseas companies from owning Kiwi stations. Just ask CanWest Global. And yet the majority presence of Wall Street’s Goldman Sachs in the CanWest bid for Alliance Atlantis has reignited the question of how big a stake, if any, foreign companies should be allowed to own in Canuck casters. So we ask:

‘Do you approve of foreign ownership of Canadian broadcasters?’

Maybe…I act for many non-Canadian clients, buy my coffee at the foreign-controlled Starbucks near my office and purchase bulk toilet paper at my local foreign-controlled Costco. So I am personally a big fan of non-Canadians. But Canadian cultural products are far more sensitive than coffee and toilet paper, and they need to be properly protected and nurtured by the Canadian government.
David Zitzerman, partner, Goodmans Entertainment Group

No, I don’t. Two reasons. First, foreign ownership of U.S. radio and television is not permitted. We should not give up control of our assets without reciprocity. Second, unlike the distribution sector of our industry, there is no evidence to support the notion that access to capital is a limiting factor for Canadian broadcasters. We have access to sufficient Canadian investment resources.
John Cassaday, president and CEO, Corus Entertainment

No…Canadian culture is fragile
enough without entrusting it to offshore companies to protect.
Lazlo Barna, president and CEO, Barna-Alper Productions

It would mean less Canadian content, less Canadian news, less research, less technological innovation, less control, less opportunity for Canadian talent and a serious undermining of our cultural sovereignty. I can’t think of anything it would mean more of other than a quick cash grab for shareholders.
Peter Murdoch, VP of Media, Communications, Energy & Paperworkers Union of Canada