Canadian Heritage held the first of six in-person cross-country consultations

Canadian Heritage held the first of six in-person cross-country consultations on Canadian content in a digital world in Vancouver on Monday Sept. 26. Federal Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly met with representatives from a variety of sectors as well as members of the general public to converse and gather input on how the government might help the cultural sector meet new challenges and harness opportunities. The consultation process is intended to help inform future policy announcements. In response to jitters being felt by television producers, Joly took the opportunity to say she is not willing to step in and interfere with new CRTC regulations in the TV production sector that reduce the need to hire Canadians to obtain funding. Joly said the CRTC is independent from her and her department.

The CRTC has introduced an interactive map showing every radio and TV station broadcasting emergency alerts across Canada. A number of cable and satellite providers who relay these messages are also included on the map. The map will be updated annually. Since March 2015 most radio, TV, cable and satellite providers are already sending emergency alerts. The CRTC will next examine how wireless services can participate in the public alerting system as well.

The Atlantic Journalism Awards are heading to St. John’s, NL for 2017. The reception and awards presentations have been announced for May 6, 2017 at the St. John’s Convention Centre. Tickets will be on sale in the coming months. Journalists wanting to be considered for awards can submit their work starting Dec.1 here.