Ontario Culture Minister Aileen Carroll and the Ontario Media Development Corporation sided with the creative community in calling for Internet and wireless service providers to contribute to the creation of online content. Carroll noted at the CRTC’s new media hearing that it is difficult for producers to get their content on closed new media platforms, especially mobile, and that they rarely have the bargaining power to ensure broadcasters will make use of new media rights.

To that end, Carroll supported the CFTPA’s call for a ‘use it or lose it’ provision in such rights; forcing the hand of broadcasters to make shows available online within a specific time. ‘Without access, economic and cultural investment in Canadian content production is wasted,’ she stated. Carroll wants new media broadcasting to remain exempt from regulation, but for added conditions that would compel ISPs and WSPs to contribute to a new media fund.

CRTC chair Konrad von Finckenstein pressed Carroll on whether she favored an overall digital strategy for the new media industry, as advocated by NFB chair Tom Perlmutter. ‘At first blush, it seems like the right approach,’ she responded, adding though that additional funding could come now. ‘The Ontario government needs to invest in new media, and needs you to take a similar view.’