Liberal

Search Liberal.ca

Economy

Liberals are working to develop Canada’s digital economy

liberals-are-working

Liberals are working on Parliament Hill today by hosting a roundtable focusing on the digital economy and what actions Canada needs to take now to become a leader in the innovative world economy of the 21st century: the digital economy.

“The world’s economy continues to evolve rapidly and a renewed vision is required,” said Liberal Industry, Research and Technology Critic Marc Garneau. “Knowledge and creativity are the hottest commodities and increasingly powerful drivers of Canada’s economy, and the Internet is their medium.”

While other developed countries are investing heavily to capitalize on the digital economy, Canada is falling behind in terms of its commitment to connectivity and universal access.  The Conservative government has failed to take progressive positions on the issues of net neutrality, foreign ownership, copyright and intellectual property.  In comparison, Australia has dedicated an entire federal department to high speed communications and the digital economy, focused on trying to build technology leadership. The UK, with its Digital Britain strategy, is developing a system of next generation digital infrastructure.

“What worries us is that the Conservative government has done nothing on this important issue,” said Liberal Canadian Heritage Critic Pablo Rodriguez. “By doing nothing to drive the digital economy, the Conservatives are leaving Canada on the sidelines and letting this opportunity slip through their fingers, at a cost of thousands of jobs and the cultural and economic enrichment of our country.”

“To create new jobs and build thriving communities in the 21st century, Canada must take hold of the future, invest today, and set bold and ambitious goals,” said Marc Garneau. “We must create an environment of competition that accelerates investment in next generation fibre and wireless digital networks in all regions of Canada, rural and urban.”

“Technology is changing the world,” added Mr. Rodriguez. “Canadians are no longer watching shows only on their television, but are exposed to culture on the internet and over their mobile devices. While mindful of Canadian content and the cultural ties that bind our nation, we must also evolve if we hope to prosper, and we must act now.”

“The digital economy is and will continue to be a defining part of our economy, for the jobs of today and tomorrow, and it is also altering the essence of Canadian society,” concluded Mr. Garneau. “In the lead-up to 2017, Canada’s 150th birthday, action needs to be taken to ensure Canada does not fall behind our peer countries, not only in the digital economy, but in economic development in general.”

Help spread the word by sharing this story with your friends.

Short link:

Email this story to your friends.
Sender: Sender:
Recipients: Recipients:
Personal Message: Personal Message:

We will never share your email address.

We’d love to hear your opinion about this story.
Sender: Sender:
Personal Message: Personal Message:

We will never share your email address.

Liberals: Conservatives must fund Sydney Harbour dredging project »

August 30, 2010

SYDNEY, NS – As the Liberal Express continues to travel through Cape Breton today, Liberal [...]

PBO report card shows municipalities will be left holding the bag on infrastructure projects »

August 9, 2010

A report from the Parliamentary Budget Officer today shows that delays by the Harper government [...]

[Video] Boat tour of Stanley Bridge harbour in PEI »

August 4, 2010

Michael Ignatieff takes a boat tour of the Stanley Bridge harbour in PEI and talks [...]

Videos + Photos

  • Video Mike Savage: Fake G8/G20

    Mike Savage: Fake G8/G20

    Mr. Michael Savage (Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, Canadians have gone from amazement, to shock, to anger over the Conservatives' billion dollar summits. There is even a contest now to name the fake lake. What would we call it? We have heard the "blue lagoon" or "lake waste" or the "excess pool". Given how angry Canadians are, how about we use the phrase coined by a truly great Canadian and call it the "fuddle duddle puddle", or we could call it exactly what it is. We can call it "lake how in the hell can a country with rising poverty rates squander a billion dollars on a meeting". Mr. Michael Savage (Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, it is getting absolutely bizarre. We have learned now that the Conservatives are selling off real lighthouses in Canada, including the famous Peggy's Cove lighthouse, but it is full steam ahead for fake lighthouses to guard the G20 fake lake. Real lighthouses, we do not want that. Fake lighthouses, go to the head of the line. It is like a skit out of Monty Python, except it is not funny. Governments make choices. How can this one choose to spend billions of dollars on a weekend when child poverty rates are on the rises, people line up at food banks and people are worried about their pensions?

  • Slideshow Mario Laguë 1958 – 2010

    Mario Laguë 1958 – 2010

  • Slideshow IBEW Training Centre visit

    IBEW Training Centre visit

    Michael Ignatieff toured the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers training centre in Hannon, ON, September 19, 2009. Photos by Radey Barrack