It sometimes feels like the government is great at launching consultations; it just doesn’t seem to get around to doing anything about it.
I have written extensively about the long overdue results of the consultation regarding liberalization of foreign investment in the telecom sector. Around the time that the government should have made a decision, that got bundled into the consultation on the 700 MHz spectrum auction. So now we have two issues that are both overdue for a decision.
There is also the National Digital Economy Strategy consultation. We have seen lots of spending that is said to be consistent with that strategy, but the strategy itself has never been released.
While we are inventorying stagnant files, let’s not forget the regulations for the Anti-Spam law. Although as I have written many times, this is one file that is best allowed to stay on the back burner.
Even when a consultation results in a report, we don’t necessarily see the government acting on the report. Take the Telecom Policy Review Panel. It issued its report in 2006 – and the government has shut down its website. Or Competition Policy (2008). Last week, the government launched a consultation for the aerospace sector.
Last fall, Tom Jenkins delivered a report on innovation and R&D policy. Yesterday, the government handed out $5M to a bunch of companies, on top of investment by BDC in some of these firms, but the reference to the report stated:
We received the report, and while we don’t necessarily subscribe to all of its recommendations, we do agree with the direction of the changes that need to be made to address the challenges faced in business-related R&D, and we will act soon.
Actually, the government is doing more than just acting soon. They are spending $5M without first stating what the policy will be going forward. Which pieces of the report are going to be adopted? Once again, shouldn’t we have a strategy followed by spending consistent with the policies that come from that strategy?
Tom Jenkins will deliver the closing keynote address on June 6 at The 2012 Canadian Telecom Summit. Early Bird registrations end tomorrow, February 29. Be sure to take advantage of savings by registering early.