On July 15, James Moore was named Industry Minister, charged with fostering “a growing, competitive and knowledge-based Canadian economy.”
He is 65 days into the new job, two-thirds of the way into his first 100 days. How is it working out so far?
Three and a half years ago, Minister Moore’s predecessor’s predecessor launched a consultation to develop a strategy to guide the development of a digital economy strategy. Together with then Industry Minister Tony Clement, and Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Diane Finley, the current Industry Minister was part of the original announcement in his role as Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. He said at that time:
Our government is committed to ensuring that creators, inventors and entrepreneurs have the incentives to innovate, the confidence to take risks and the tools to succeed. We recognize the important role the digital media and content sector plays in the digital economy, and we intend to develop a long-term plan that will stand the test of time.
Three departments launched the digital economy consultation; with our third Industry Minister, we are still waiting for the outcome of that consultation. The consultation was to explore 5 themes:
- Capacity to Innovate Using Digital Technologies;
- Building a World-Class Digital Infrastructure;
- Growing the Information and Communications Technology Industry;
- Digital Media: Creating Canada’s Digital Content Advantage; and
- Building Digital Skills for Tomorrow.
Where is the “long term plan that will stand the test of time”?
In his first two months, it is evident to all that there is a new leadership in place. How will this translate into advancing the department’s mission, “to foster a growing, competitive and knowledge-based Canadian economy”?
There was an interesting address earlier today by Jason Furman, Chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisors [pdf]. His observations on the telecommunications sector were informed by a depth of economic analysis that looked beyond international consumer price comparisons and recognized the flow of capital investment by the US industry. I commend reading the speech in its entirety.
Among the highlights was reading about concerns first documented in a White House report released in June, “Four Years of Broadband Growth” [pdf]: uneven adoption of broadband by education and income; uneven adoption in rural areas; and, affordability challenges.
Reading the depth of research that clearly informed Furman’s speech, reviewing the White House report with its analysis, it became clear that there is a policy gap in Canada caused by our missing digital economy strategy.
In the next 5 weeks, by October 23 – the 100 day milestone in office – will Canada finally see a comprehensive national digital strategy?