Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting of Ministers responsible for Economic Development on the Digital Economy

STATEMENT – FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL-TERRITORIAL MEETING OF MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ON THE DIGITAL ECONOMY

MINISTER PARADIS AND MINISTER HAMAD CO-CHAIR MONTREAL
MEETING OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MINISTERS ON THE
DIGITAL ECONOMY

Montreal, Quebec, March 19, 2012 — The Honourable Christian Paradis, federal Minister of Industry, and Sam Hamad, ministre du Développement économique, de l’Innovation et de l’Exportation du Québec et ministre responsable de la région de la Capitale nationale, today co-chaired a meeting of provincial and territorial Ministers responsible for economic development to discuss their collective efforts to forge a stronger, more competitive Canadian digital economy.

The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to providing access to broadband service in Canada needed for success in today’s digital world, especially in areas of low population density.

They emphasized the importance of digital technologies for the growth of productivity and the economy. They also discussed the problems facing this sector, particularly in terms of recruiting workers.

Discussions highlighted efforts to support the adoption of digital technologies by small and medium-sized enterprises, and the provinces and territories all expressed interest in co-ordinating their efforts in this regard with those of the federal government, recognizing that collaboration effort is key to success.

The Ministers asked the working groups to continue their efforts with regard to digital infrastructure mapping and raising awareness of the significant productivity benefits of adopting digital technologies. They also made a commitment to continue working with the ICT industry to seek potential solutions to their skills challenges.

The Honourable Brad Duguid, Ontario Minister of Economic Development and Innovation, agreed to co-chair the next federal-provincial-territorial meeting on the digital economy.

 

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 For further information (media only), please contact:

                                               
Richard Walker
            Director of Communications
            Office of the Honourable Christian Paradis
            Minister of Industry
            613-995-9001
           

Media Relations
            Industry Canada
            613-943-2502