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Canada 3.0 Forum to Shape the Country’s Digital Future

Industry, government and academic leaders to explore digital media, trends – define leadership strategy for Canada

Canada 3.0 [1]Stratford ON – Industry, government, education leaders and influencers will gather June 8 and 9 in Stratford, Ontario at the Canada 3.0 forum [2] to map Canada’s digital future and create opportunities for new business and jobs. Hosted by the University of Waterloo Stratford Institute and the Canadian Digital Media Network [3] (CDMN), the forum is the must-attend event for anyone interested in Canada’s place in the world’s digital economy.

“The advent of social media, the explosion of the Web as a forum for a wide range of rich content, and the growth in high-tech handheld devices to access this content anytime, anywhere are creating new demands and pportunities,” said David Johnston, President of the University of Waterloo and a speaker at the conference. “Educators, those that set public policy pertaining to digital media, and content developers all have a vested interest in ensuring Canada takes its place as a leader in digital media.”

The forum addresses four themes – content and entertainment, technology and business, government, and research and education – and will provide participants with opportunities to actively engage industry leaders and speakers.

Some of the featured speakers are:

– Arlene Dickinson, CEO Venture Communications Ltd. and entrepreneur from CBC’s Dragons’ Den
– Lisa de Wilde, CEO of TV Ontario (TVO)
– John Cassaday, President and CEO of Corus Entertainment Inc.
– Gerry Remers, President and COO of Christie Digital Systems
– Paul Salvini, Chief Technology Officer and VP Canadian Operations at Side Effects Software
– Peter Bruce, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Government of Canada
– Ron McKerlie, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Government Services
– Chad Gaffield, President Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
– Sara Diamond, President of the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD)

“Anyone who wants to be part of Canada’s digital future has a vested interest in being at this forum,” said Tom Jenkins, Executive Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer at Open Text and a speaker at the event. “Canada has the opportunity to lead by enabling a groundswell of entrepreneurial businesses in the digital media space. Next-generation content and technology will claim Canada’s stake in the competitive digital economy.”

The Council of Canadian Academies has identified new media as having the greatest momentum and the highest growth prospects for Canada, second only to the oilsands. Worldwide, the digital media sector is one of the fastest-growing industries in the knowledge economy, projected to be valued at US$2.2 trillion over the next five years.

“Canada has the talent, expertise, and business environment to ensure that we lead in the digital economy,” said the Hon. Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology, who is participating in the forum. “There’s a digital revolution afoot and with the current economic shifts we’re seeing, it’s imperative that we support this growth that holds the promise of increased business opportunity and more jobs for Canadians.”

The federal government recently recognized this huge economic opportunity by investing $10.7-million in the CDMN, in part to establish UW’s Stratford Institute and to host critical opportunities like Canada 3.0.

“Innovative thinking is key to overcoming a challenging economy today and emerging as a successful player on the global digital media stage tomorrow,” said Ontario Minister of Research and Innovation John Wilkinson, who will speak at the conference. “Bringing together leaders from diverse backgrounds will help jump-start the innovation process, and both help to grow existing companies faster while creating successful new ones. That’s why a key part of Ontario’s economic plan is supporting the ideas that will shape our future.”

Canada’s digerati are invited to learn more and register for the conference at www.canada30.ca [2].