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DigiBC Backs Call for Building Canada's Digital Future
Wednesday, July 21, 2010Company Profile | Follow Company
Vancouver, BC, July 21, 2010--(T-Net)--The information age has been characterized by the global growth of the internet and many believe that the addition of mobile access will be the largest technical shift the world has yet seen. In order to build a successful digital future, Canada needs to establish its leadership in bandwidth and online access. A cost effective, high bandwidth and low latency online and mobile infrastructure, coupled with government policies and a business and tax climate that encourages content creation and technology commercialization will position Canada for tremendous job growth and opportunities in the globally connected world of the future.
These are but three of eight specific recommendations by DigiBC, in response to the federal government's call for input on improving Canada's digital advantage.
DigiBC is the industry association representing the interests of British Columbia's $3 billion a year, digital media and wireless industry. DigiBC and the Canadian Interactive Alliance (CIAIC) were part of a national group of interested parties that were asked for their input by Industry Canada at the Canada 3.0 conference held in May.
“It is crucial for Canada to be a major player in the online and mobile space, not only for Canadians as consumers, but for Canadian companies as suppliers and exporters of content to consumers worldwide,” says V. Paul Lee, Chairman of DigiBC. “Consumers are increasingly demanding immediate access, not only to online, but also immediate access from their mobile devices.”
Michael Bidu, President of DigiBC, notes that “one of the chief barriers to developing a thriving digital economy is the lack of access to venture capital.”
“Too many talented and innovative start-ups in Canada are thwarted by the lack of access to capital to finance their growth here, and they ultimately move south. However, if the federal government makes it easier to obtain domestic, US and other foreign investments, these same companies can grow and prosper here.”
Content creation supported by innovative digital technologies will be the key to growth for the industry in Canada. DigiBC's report calls for “a strong focus on accelerated commercialization in . . . video games, digital animation, data visualization, social media, mobile applications and wireless-related fields.”
Other important recommendations include:
Mr. Bidu notes that Canada needs to develop “innovative strategies to effectively leverage the $182 billion that Canadians spend annually on health care.”
Industry Canada's call for public input says Mr. Lee was “timely and well received. We look forward to further discussions. In our increasingly digital age it is sometimes easy to forget the value of standing together and collaborating to build a better future for our industry, our country and our world.”
Both the DigiBC and CIAIC submissions along with Industry Canada's consultation paper can be downloaded at:
CIAIC - Canada's Digital Future (PDF)
DigiBC - Improving Canada's Digital Future (PDF)
Industry Canada - Improving Canada's Digital Advantage (PDF)
For more information contact:
Michael Bidu
President, DigiBC
Ph: 604-602-5237
Email: michael@digibc.org
About DigiBC
DigiBC promotes, supports and accelerates the growth, competitiveness and sustainability of BC's digital media and wireless industry in the world. DigiBC is the largest industry association in BC and represents the interests of more than 1,000 companies in five key sectors: video games, animation and visual effects, web 2.0, social media and interactive marketing, e-learning, and mobile and wireless. Interested in becoming a member of DigiBC - http://www.digibc.org/membership.html
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DigiBC - The Digital Media and Wireless Association of BC
Vancouver, BC (Non-Tech Sectors)
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