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Weigl Educational Publishers Limited will be able to pursue new technology-related initiatives, thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada announced today by Deepak Obhrai,  the MP for Calgary East, on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. The publisher of educational books will use this funding to support a technology internship, an important step in the development of new jobs in Canada’s book publishing industry.

“Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in important projects like those of Weigl Educational Publishers,” said Minister Moore. “By supporting these activities, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our communities and support arts, culture, and heritage.”

“Organizations such as Weigl Educational Publishers ensure that Canadians have access to quality Canadian educational books,” said Mr. Obhrai. “Our Government is proud to support and strengthen organizations like this one.”

“The Canada Book Fund is critical to the viability of the Canadian publishing industry and its ability to create quality Canadian content,” said Linda A. Weigl, President and Publisher, Weigl Educational Publishers.

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $20,000 through the Support for Organizations funding stream of the Canada Book Fund (CBF). The principal objective of the CBF is to ensure access to a diverse range of Canadian-authored books in Canada and abroad. The Fund seeks to achieve this objective by fostering a viable Canadian book industry that publishes and markets Canadian-authored books.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has released the latest statistical and financial information on Canadian broadcasting distribution companies. Each year, the CRTC compiles financial data on the Canadian broadcasting and telecommunications industries to produce a series of reports. The CRTC’s report on Canadian broadcasting distribution companies includes data for non-programming services, such as Internet access and telephony services.

For the year ending on August 31, 2010, this sector of the broadcasting industry experienced strong growth as the combined revenues for cable, satellite and multipoint distribution companies rose from $11.4 billion to $12.5 billion.

The CRTC has published similar reports for Canadian radio services and television services. In the coming weeks, the CRTC will also publish its Communications Monitoring Report. These annual reports allow interested parties to stay informed about the state of the Canadian communications industry.

Total revenues generated by cable companies increased by 9.7% in 2010, from $9.2 billion to $10.1 billion, while operating expenses went up by 9%, from $5.1 billion to $5.5 billion. As a result, cable companies reported profits before interest and taxes (PBIT) of $2.5 billion and a PBIT margin of 25.3%. These were both higher than the 2009 results, which came in at $2.3 billion and 25.1%, respectively.

The number of Canadian households that obtained basic television service from a cable company rose by 2.2% to reach 8.3 million subscribers.

In 2010, cable companies employed 24,076 people and spent $1.8 billion on salaries, compared to employing 22,716 and spending $1.7 billion on salaries the previous year.

Total revenues for satellite and multipoint distribution companies increased from $2.2 billion in 2009 to $2.4 billion in 2010—an increase of 8.9% from the previous year. In addition, operating expenses went up by 4%, from $1.75 billion to $1.82 billion.

Over the last five years, these companies’ PBIT has improved significantly from a deficit of $32 million in 2006 to a profit of $163.9 million in 2010. The PBIT margin followed a similar trajectory during the same period, rising from a negative profit margin of -1.9% to a positive profit margin of 6.8%.

The number of Canadian households that obtained basic television service from satellite or multipoint distribution companies increased by 3.7% in 2010 to reach 2.9 million.

In 2010, these companies employed 2,704 people and paid $232.7 million in salaries. In comparison, they employed 2,982 people and paid $226.2 million in salaries the previous year.

In 2010, broadcasting distribution companies contributed $367.9 million to Canadian programming. Of this total, $189.1 million was directed to the Canadian Media Fund (formerly the Canadian Television Fund), $52.3 million to independent funds and $126.5 million to cable community channels and other sources of local expression.

These companies also contributed an additional $100.7 million to the Local Programming Improvement Fund. Launched in September 2009, this fund supports local news and local programming in non-metropolitan markets across Canada.

In 2010, cable companies paid $1.9 billion in wholesale fees to the pay and specialty services they distribute, an increase of 11.6% from the $1.7 billion paid the previous year. The fees paid by satellite companies rose by 4.5% in one year, going from $367.7 million to $384.2 million.

Telefilm Canada and the Rogers Group of Funds are pleased to announce the extension of their partnership for the Theatrical Documentary Program for 2011-2012. The upcoming program deadlines are September 2, 2011 for French-language projects and September 30, 2011 for English-language projects.

The goal of the Theatrical Documentary Program is to increase Canadian audiences for Canadian feature films, by encouraging the production of high-calibre feature-length documentaries for theatrical distribution. Telefilm Canada and the Rogers Group of Funds have joined forces to underwrite this Program with the intent to support projects that will be commercially successful.

Since 2007, this unique public-private partnership has supported some 27 productions including critically acclaimed and award winning titles. Among them are Reel Injun (Reel Indian), Last Train Home, Le Coeur d’Auschwitz, La nuit, elles dansent and Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould.

Applicants may apply for funding support for production and post-production stages. For production funding, the minimum production budget requirement is $600,000 for English-language projects, and $500,000 for French-language projects. There is no minimum budget requirement for applications for post-production assistance.

“Telefilm Canada is delighted to be renewing its agreement with the Rogers Group of Funds to support documentary filmmaking, a genre in which Canadians have long excelled on the international scene,” said Carolle Brabant, Executive Director of Telefilm Canada. “In so doing, Telefilm upholds its commitment to support a diverse range of projects for the screen. We eagerly await the new crop of documentaries destined for theatrical release, and look forward to the unique perspectives they will bring to their subject matter.”

Robin Mirsky-Daniels, Executive Director of the Rogers Group of Funds, added: “Rogers continues to honor its commitment to support documentary production in Canada. We are proud of the role we have played in the financing of hundreds of Canadian documentary films and will continue to do so with the renewal of this program.”

Please note that changes have been made to the eligibility criteria for English-language projects. The requirement regarding the broadcasting licensing threshold has been reduced and is harmonized with the Canada Media Fund’s requirements for their English POV Program (point of view).

The Government of Canada, in collaboration with funding participants, is helping to enhance the business productivity and competitiveness of small- and medium-sized businesses in northern Alberta.

The Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced a federal investment of $500,000 towards the Mobile Business Incubator (MBI) today, an initiative that will create economic opportunities for rural entrepreneurs by connecting them to a wide range of business resources and services. In addition to federal funding, the Province of Alberta is investing $500,000 towards the project, while industry participants, ConocoPhillips Canada and Statoil, are contributing a total of $500,000.

Today’s investment provides rural communities with access to the skills and resources they require to help drive our economy forward, said Minister Yelich. Our Government will continue to create the conditions for rural entrepreneurs to contribute, innovate and succeed, by laying the foundation for long-term economic growth.

Federal funding, provided through Western Economic Diversification Canada, will enable The Business Link to convert three mobile trailers into a portable business support centre. The business incubator will provide services such as business development, training and consulting expertise, as well as high speed Internet access, office space rental, web-conferencing services, meeting rooms, and referrals to service professionals.

There is a lot of entrepreneurial spirit in rural Alberta and this project will help owners get their businesses off the ground, said Thomas Lukaszuk, Minister of Alberta Employment and Immigration. I am very pleased that this project will enable better access to services for our northern communities.

Contingent on market demand, growth and opportunity, the MBI will relocate along the Highway 881 Corridor between Fort McMurray and Lac La Biche. Small-medium sized businesses will be provided access to training, knowledge and expertise in an economical and affordable manner.

Our role as Alberta’s Canada Business service centre is to help entrepreneurs start and grow their business, said Cathy Goulet, executive director of The Business Link. The MBI initiative allows us to reach more businesses in rural communities and address their business information needs.

This project also brings together two oil and gas production companies, ConocoPhillips Canada and Statoil. Their involvement and expertise in the project will help strengthen the MBI’s presence in northern Alberta.

ConocoPhillips Canada has a commitment to hire, buy and build locally, which results in local and regional benefits associated with all our oil sands developments, said Lloyd Visser, vice president of environment and sustainable development for ConocoPhillips Canada. We’d like to see the creation of many competitive regional companies and the development of long-term commercial relationships with multiple industries.

Beyond the services offered through the MBI, The Business Link will continue to work collaboratively with industry stakeholders, companies, and local communities to ensure that the business incubator is strategically positioned to help rural entrepreneurs generate new business ventures and opportunities.

This initiative demonstrates innovation bringing together industry partners and government in support of economic development in our communities, said Lars Christian Bacher, President of Statoil Canada.

Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and advances the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.

Canadian veterans of the Secord World War and Korean War will be able to have their stories told for future generations, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada. The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced funding for the Historica-Dominion Institute’s Memory Project: Stories of the Korean War at an event held at HMCS York in Toronto. Minister Moore also announced an extension to the funding for the Institute’s Memory Project: Stories of the Second World War.

These projects aim to provide every living Canadian veteran who wants to share his or her memories with all Canadians—particularly teachers, students, and the general public—the opportunity to do so through an interactive and extensive website that will record and store first-hand accounts and memorabilia of individual Canadian veterans. As a result, future generations can learn about and understand what they did for their country.

“Every veteran who fought for Canada deserves to be able to share their stories, so all Canadians can remember their sacrifices,” said Minister Moore. “Our Government is proud to help our veterans tell their stories so they can be preserved for generations to come. These projects provide a unique opportunity to record this important chapter in our history from those who lived it. Knowing our history helps us understand where we came from and defines us as Canadians.”

In 2009, the Government of Canada announced funding for the Institute’s Memory Project: Stories of the Second World War through the Commemoration Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. The project creates a definitive record of Canada’s participation in the Second World War through thousands of first-person accounts by veterans. Stories of the Korean War is the continuation of that work.

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $938,850 for Stories of the Korean War and an additional $385,000 for Stories of the Second World War (bringing total government investment in that project to more than $3 million) through the Commemorate Canada component of the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Celebration and Commemoration Program. This component provides financial support to initiatives of national significance that commemorate various aspects of Canadian history.

TVO gives Facebook politics a whole new meaning and takes another step in promoting citizen engagement with the launch of Honoured Citizen, a multi-player social media game that runs on the Facebook Platform.

Developed for TVO by Lazar Entertainment, Honoured Citizen allows players to participate in all levels of civic society and demonstrates that there are many ways to become an Honoured Citizen, if you are willing to speak out, engage with issues, question, debate and vote.

“Game-based technologies can serve as powerful tools for advancing civic engagement – it’s called gaming for good,” says Christine McGlade, Manager of Interactive and Digital Media for TVO. “Honoured Citizen will immerse gamers in the political process. It’s a great example of how TVO uses digital media as a platform for civic engagement.”

Honoured Citizen is the only Facebook game that realistically simulates all aspects of the political process. Players participate as citizens, politicians, activists or lobbyists. Politicians can seek nominations and woo voting blocs. Lobbyists can wine and dine politicians. Activists can start protests and organize petitions. Citizens can raise issues and participate in polls.

The object of the game is to gain honour points by engaging with and participating in an online shadow government – discussing, debating and organizing around political issues. These points may be spent to take on different roles in the game, perform other functions, or they may be traded with other players or strategically donated. The game runs in real time and every round is one week long, with new issues in play during each round. After every four rounds, there is an election.

Set in a virtual province, Honoured Citizen offers players a chance to simulate the political process. While the topics gamers raise may be real-life issues, it’s not a place for partisan politics. The game focuses on issues of governance, and non-partisan debate.

Honoured Citizen is the most recent addition to TVO’s gaming for good efforts, which includes Inside the Haiti Earthquake, the Games for Change Festival 2010 Transmedia award-winning interactive game.

Honoured Citizen is part of TVO’s Your Vote 2011, a suite of multimedia resources designed to engage Ontarians in the lead-up to the fall 2011 Ontario election.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) is pleased to invite Canadian exporters to participate in the ICT Mexico Preparation Program 2011-12. Through this program, Canadian information and communication technology (ICT) companies that wish to explore opportunities in Mexico will be provided with the following services.

* A preliminary analysis of each company’s profile and their prospects in Mexico.
* Company-specific in-depth market analysis prepared by an in-market industry consultant.
* Based on each study results, companies will be invited to join a business mission to Mexico in February 2012, which includes one-to-one matchmaking meetings with potential customers, distributors and more.

Companies participating in this program are expected to invest necessary time and resources to work with the consultant and the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) in Mexico in order to achieve a valuable market report. Canadian government trade commissioners will provide individual follow-up via telephone conference call and a face-to-face, when possible.

Due date to register to the program is July 15, 2011. Interested companies should contact Guillermo Larios as soon as possible to obtain a registration form as space is limited and preference will be accorded to early applicants. All proposals should comply with the TCS policy for Canadian content and market readiness for the ICT sector as indicated by DFAIT Regional Offices.

Intertainment Media Inc. has completed the previously announced arm’s length strategic transaction with Commobility Inc. providing enhanced technology and revenue capabilities to Intertainment.

As part of Intertainment’s ongoing strategy to create a richer and deeper relationship with its users across all its divisional lines of business, Commobility offers the addition of key development in the mobile arena, including proprietary intellectual properties extending the reach of Intertainment’s services globally.

Intertainment has acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Commobility pursuant to a share purchase agreement between Intertainment and the shareholders of Commobility. In consideration for all issued and outstanding shares of Commobility, Intertainment will issue 6,000,000 common shares at a deemed price of $0.70 per Intertainment Share to the Commobility Vendors over a period of one calendar year from the closing date pursuant to a voluntary escrow agreement, with 48% of the Intertainment Shares having been released upon the closing of the transaction.

The escrow agreement provides that the remaining 3,120,000 Intertainment Shares will be released to the Commobility Vendors in segments of 13% at the end of each of the calendar quarters following the closing date. The acquisition of Commobility provides Intertainment and its subsidiaries, Ortsbo Inc. and Ad Taffy Inc, a platform to operate on mobile devices and access to software and patents in development and developed by Commobility, which will significantly enhance the reach of the translation capabilities of the Ortsbo platform as well as other Intertainment divisional offerings.

Commobility assets include patent applications and software platforms for creating generic communication channels based on device proximity as well as enabling translation between devices in close proximity to each other. With this acquisition, in the near term, Ortsbo’s translation capabilities will span situations where translation occurs on single device, multiple devices that are in proximity to each other and between users that are anywhere in the world on any device through cross-language, cross-device social network and Ortsbo’s cross-social network translation applications.

Developing Canada’s economy and helping Canadians train for better jobs are priorities for the Government. This is why the Government is taking action to address skills shortages so Canadians can train for jobs in a changing economy. Currently Canada’s economic recovery is threatened by a lack of information among employers and workers for the skills needed in the workforce.

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, today announced that the Government is developing a new, proactive approach to coordinate the information job seekers will need to find the employers who are hiring.

“Better information will help Canadians find jobs and make the right learning and career choices”, said Minister Finley. “Canadians need colleges and universities, business, labour and governments to all work together to ensure that our workforce develops a broad and diverse set of skills to be highly productive and to allow them to adapt to new technologies, innovations and new challenges.”

The Government is launching an approach that will gather critical information and make it available through the Working in Canada website so that Canadians have a clearer picture of who in Canada is hiring and the skills that are needed.

Right now there are significant shortages in many key industries including healthcare, IT and skilled trades, but as more industries take part in this new information sharing strategy the list of employers seeking skilled workers will continue to grow.

“Many of our members have told us that skills and training top their list of priorities. Having the right people is critical to their competitiveness and to their very survival. Canada has a skills shortage problem well on its way to becoming a crisis. We don’t want to face a future where employers can’t fill positions because there aren’t enough qualified workers,” stated Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. He added: “We welcome any initiative by the government to address skills-related challenges and opportunities. Meeting these challenges and improving the competitiveness of our nation is vital for both our businesses and Canadian workers.” Read the rest of this entry »