Government seeks stakeholder input for development of digital economy strategy

The federal government has given the information and communications technology (ICT) sector less than 10 weeks to respond to a discussion paper that will lay the groundwork for a Canadian digital economy strategy after months of signaling its intention to move on a file considered critical to future productivity and competitiveness.

The consultation paper was released by Industry minister Tony Clement on May 3rd in Stratford ON at the Canada 3.0 conference, with a deadline of July 9th to submit responses. The document uses the terms digital technologies and ICT interchangeable and outlines the current and projected context and environment for digital technologies.

Canada is considered to have a strong foundation of established companies, research institutions, and human skills but the document points to weaknesses (such as weak adoption of ICT), low visibility of Canadian content and the need for next-generation networks) that the forthcoming strategy intends to address.

New copyright legislation has been developed and awaits introduction in Parliament and Budget 2010 provided funding to roll out broadband access to rural and remote communities. But the government expects the private sector to take the lead in developing a more vibrant digital economy and the consultation paper poses five challenges for which it is seeking input:

* Boosting capacity to innovate

* Building digital infrastructure;

* Growing the ICT industry;

* Increasing Canadian digital content;

* Increasing digital skills.

Canada's main lobby group — the Information Technology Association of Canada — has welcomed the government's offer to participate in roundtable discussions and points to its own submission to the issue — Upping Our Game: A National ICT Strategy for Canada — released in July/09 (http://www.itac.ca/uploads/news/ITAC_09_Review.pdf).

While Industry Canada has the lead on the digital economy strategy, it is collaborating with the departments of Human Resources and Skills Development and Canadian Heritage and Official Languages which represent the skills and content aspects of the strategy.

The government contends that Canadian competitiveness in ICT must occur or the country will be surpassed by other nations developing similar strategies.

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