Village Gamer

The Observatoire du documentaire and MEDIA, in association with the Canada Media Fund and Canadian Heritage, have published the Additional Funding Guide for Documentary Film, the English version of the Guide des financements complémentaires pour le documentaire. The original French version of the guide, published last November, has also been revised and includes an updated list of available resources. Read the rest of this entry »

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has issued a wireless code that will make it easier for Canadians to understand their contracts and sets out their basic rights. The code will apply to new contracts for cellphones and other personal mobile devices starting on December 2, 2013.

“Every day, Canadians rely on wireless devices while in their homes, at their jobs, at school or travelling abroad,” said Jean-Pierre Blais, Chairman of the CRTC. “The wireless code will contribute to a more dynamic marketplace by making it possible for Canadians to discuss their needs with service providers at least every two years.”

The wireless code addresses the main frustrations that Canadians shared with the CRTC, which included the length of wireless contracts, cancellation fees, roaming charges and other industry practices. Among other things, individual and small business consumers will be able to:

• terminate their wireless contracts after two years without cancellation fees, even if they have signed on for a longer term
• cap extra data charges at $50/month and international data roaming charges at $100/month to prevent bill shock
• have their cellphones unlocked after 90 days, or immediately if they paid for the device in full
• return their cellphones, within 15 days and specific usage limits, if they are unhappy with their service
• accept or decline changes to the key terms of a fixed-term contract (i.e., 2-year), and
• receive a contract that is easy to read and understand.

The wireless code will apply to all service providers in Canada. In particular, the code will apply in full to postpaid services (where customers pay a monthly bill after using their services), and where applicable to pre-paid wireless services.

“The wireless code is a tool that will empower consumers and help them make informed choices about the service options that best meet their needs. To make the most of this tool, consumers also have a responsibility to educate themselves,” Mr. Blais added.

The participation of a large number of consumers and the collaboration of the wireless industry will ensure the wireless code’s successful implementation. The CRTC’s public consultation attracted over 5,000 participants, including individual Canadians, who shared their views on an online discussion forum, in writing and at the public hearing held from February 11 to 15, 2013.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) renewed until August 31, 2018, the licences of the English- and French-language television and radio services of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). The CRTC has examined the CBC’s five-year plan, “Strategy 2015: Everyone, Every way,” which sets out the means by which the CBC intends to fulfill its mandate under the Broadcasting Act. The CRTC supports the emphasis placed by the CBC in this plan on national programming and regional reflection, and has taken note of the CBC’s strategy regarding its presence on digital platforms. Read the rest of this entry »

Canadian high tech association CATAAlliance has launched an advocacy Campaign to make it easier for ICT suppliers – particularly SMEs – to do business with Government through adopting a more efficient and simpler G-Cloud Store procurement model. The Campaign, known as G-Cloud First for Canada, would help govern the procurement of new or existing services, and it would require public sector organizations to consider and fully evaluate potential Cloud solutions first – before they consider any other option. CATAAlliance cited the U.K., as model for government modernization, and has taken the initiative to invite U.K. thought leaders to share their best practices with officials at Shared Services Canada (SSC), the Canadian department mandated to transform the delivery of services to citizens. Read the rest of this entry »

During a keynote speech at the 2013 e-Health: Accelerating Change conference, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, announced funding from the Canadian Government to support research projects focused on developing innovative new electronic health (ehealth) technologies. These technologies will capitalize on advances in electronic patient records, internet technology and mobile devices. Read the rest of this entry »

Telefilm Canada is partnering with Vancouver’s CineCoup Film Accelerator, a reality-show style competition to provide a million dollars to fund a new feature film, as part of the funding agency’s newly minted New Ways of Discovering Canadian Talent marketing campaign. On Sunday, Telefilm presented CineCoup President of Distribution and Sales, Brad Pelman, to industry players and media during its Talent To Watch event at the Cannes Film Festival. Up next, Telefilm will partner with CineCoup to unveil the Top 5 films at the Banff World Media Festival in June, where filmmakers will pitch their projects in front of industry experts. Read the rest of this entry »

A major report released today by Canada’s Science, Technology and Innovation Council (STIC) has concluded that Canada continues to tread water as a mid-level performer in science, technology, and innovation (STI) and is calling for Canada to aim higher and aspire for global leadership on key STI measures. The State of the Nation 2012 report, Canada’s Science, Technology and Innovation System: Aspiring to Global Leadership – the third public report from STIC – charts progress from a baseline set in 2008 and compares Canada’s performance to global science, technology and innovation leaders. Read the rest of this entry »

Scientists, engineers and students at universities across the country will receive significant support from the Government of Canada through the Discovery Grants, scholarships and fellowships. The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology) announced 3,808 research awards that will advance research in a full range of fields in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Read the rest of this entry »

Markham’s new app provides instant mobile access to information on the City’s parks, recreation and library programs, waste collection programs and schedules, updates on major city projects, bikeway systems, culture and entertainment opportunities, our social media pages, and the City’s resident publication – Markham Life magazine. Additionally, the Apple application is enabled with emergency push notification capabilities. Read the rest of this entry »

Extensive upgrades to the Canadian Film Centre‘s (CFC) Windfields campus are one step closer to reality today, as federal, provincial and municipal representatives joined Centre staff to celebrate the construction of the Northern Dancer Pavilion, which will allow the Centre to expand its film, television, digital media, screen acting and music program activities and will provide additional event space for the Centre and surrounding community. The project also involves renovating seven heritage buildings at the Centre, and is helping to improve cultural infrastructure and create local jobs in Toronto. Read the rest of this entry »