ITAC Federal Election Update #2

April 8, 2011

Both the Conservative and Liberal Parties of Canada have devoted sections of their 2011 Election platforms to creating a Digital Economy Strategy for Canada.

The following is a compilation of the key points within each of these parties’ comments on technology and innovation, and how it must contribute to our nation’s future.

Conservatives Update on Status of Digital Economy Strategy

In 2007 Stephen Harper’s Government announced the Science and Technology Strategy. Since then, this strategy has evolved into the Digital Economy Strategy for Canada, which is cited and explained in the Conservative Party’s 2011 Election platform.

"In 2010 we consulted experts and businesspeople on positioning Canada to seize the opportunities presented by new information and communications technologies. Our purpose is to build on our actions our plan to extend broadband coverage to 200,000 additional households in rural and remote regions; and our successful efforts to increase competition and choice and to lower costs for wireless consumers."

The Conservative Party proceeds to promise Canadians that if re-elected, a Stephen Harper Government will announce and begin implementing a Digital Economy Strategy, focused on the following five key areas:

- Building world-class digital infrastructure;
- Encouraging businesses to adopt digital technologies;
- Supporting digital skills development;
- Fostering the growth of Canadian companies supplying digital technologies to global markets; and
- Creating made-in-Canada content across all platforms.

To achieve these goals, the Conservative Party promises to: "support collaborative projects between colleges and small- and medium-sized businesses to accelerate the adoption of information and communications technologies; promote enrolment in post-secondary science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs; and build Canada’s digital content through additional support for the Canada Media Fund.

Finally, the Conservatives promised to reintroduce and pass the Copyright Modernization Act, stating that it: "recognizes the practical priorities of teachers, students, artists, families, and technology companies, among others, while aligning Canada with international standards, […] respects both the rights of creators and the interests of consumers, [… and] will ensure that Canada’s copyright law will be responsive in a fast changing digital world, while protecting and creating jobs, promoting innovation, and attracting investment to Canada."

Liberals Release Platform Based on the "The Digital Canada of Tomorrow"

On April 4, the Liberal Party of Canada released a section of their platform based on a Digital Economy Strategy for Canada. Here are a few notable excerpts:

"With continuing, rapid leaps in computing capacity, data storage and wireless innovation, digital technology and the Internet have the potential to invigorate our democracy, our economy, and our culture, putting the full power of information and action into citizens’ hands.

"But in the last five years, Canada has fallen behind more ambitious competitors. The United Kingdom, France, Australia and the United States, for example, have developed far-reaching plans for the digital society of the future, and are introducing comprehensive policies and programs."

The platform focused on eight key objectives:

- Access to Broadband for All Canadians
- Closing the Digital Divide
- Fair balance Between Creators and Consumers
- Flourishing Canadian Content, Culture and Identity in Digital Media
- Competition in a Healthy Business Environment that Rewards Innovation
- An Open Internet
- Open Government
- Protection from Digital Threats

The platform also contains other specific incentives to aid in job creation:

"Our new Innovation and Productivity Tax Credit will create incentives to generate more start-up venture capital for entrepreneurs, which will drive the creation of high-quality jobs. It is estimated that from 2003 to 2007, companies backed by venture capital averaged annual employment growth of 17.1%. Our new Innovation Gateway will provide a sharper, simpler and more efficient emphasis on entrepreneurial, innovative companies in order to spur further job creation. We will ensure all Canadians have access to high-speed broadband internet within the first three years of our mandate in order to foster more economic growth."

It is also worth noting that if elected, the Liberal Party of Canada promises to bring corporate taxes back to 2010 levels.