It has been 10 years since Canada held its last comprehensive review of telecommunications policy. The final report [pdf] was delivered in March 2006 and it included a recommendation that such a review be held regularly – every 5 years.
In April 2005, the Telecommunications Review Panel was struck by the Liberal Minister of Industry, David Emerson “to review Canada’s telecommunications policy framework and make recommendations on how to modernize it to ensure that Canada has a strong, internationally competitive telecommunications industry that delivers world-class services for the economic and social benefit of all Canadians.” The panel delivered its recommendations in March 2006 to Conservative Industry Minister Maxime Bernier.
For a number of years, I have been indicating that a review is long overdue [such as here, here and here].
There is much to review in Canada’s legislation and in our regulatory institutions, as I have highlighted on this site.
As Canada approaches its sesquicentennial next year, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Navdeep Bains, should create a new expert panel with a similar mandate to the panel of a decade ago, “to ensure that Canada has a strong, internationally competitive telecommunications industry that delivers world-class services for the economic and social benefit of all Canadians.”
Mark: Totally agree, particularly since I moved to southwestern Ontario. There is so much that could be done if we could get small businesses (and large) to understand how distance doesn’t matter for economic growth, jobs and revenue if you can use broadband to run and develop digital businesses, disregarding location. (We moved our business and home based on 100+Mbps broadband services being available in Thorndale, ON!). Count me in for providing feedback if our government decides to do another study!
I have built a well respected boutique consulting firm that wins and competes against global firms, and I have world-class team using various types of wired, and wireless broadband services from multiple providers. I try to help others do the same thing, but also, Canadian telecom industry needs to show some thought leadership and guidance and help educate their customers too! Keep up the good work on your blog!