Senate Committee on Transport and Communications to undertake a fact-finding trip to Winnipeg, Yellowknife and Edmonton

Ottawa (March 21, 2014) – The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications is travelling to Winnipeg, Yellowknife and Edmonton next week, as part of its ongoing detailed study on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). The committee will be conducting a fact finding mission to hear the challenges facing CBC in urban and rural communities. Senators will participate in site visits at CBC, private broadcasters and meet with local groups to discuss perceived changes in the local broadcasting and communications environment.

“The committee is looking at the challenges facing CBC in relation to the changing environment of broadcasting and communications” said Senator Dennis Dawson, chair of the committee. “We want to examine issues relating to accessibility, variety and distinctiveness so we can make the best recommendations possible for the future of CBC and Canadians.”

“The communications industry is facing tremendous transformation in the era of technological change. Consumers have many choices in meeting their information and entertainment needs” said Senator Housakos, deputy chair of the committee. “The committee wants to assess what is most feasible for Canadians.”

The committee received an order of reference to examine the challenges faced by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in relation to the changing environment of broadcasting and communications on December 9, 2013. Since then the committee has held 7 meetings and heard from 15 witnesses.

For more information on the committee’s mandate, membership, recent reports and minutes of proceeding, please visit the website at: http://senate-senat.ca/trcm-e.asp

The Senate of Canada is on Twitter: @SenateCA , follow the committee using the hashtag #TRMC.

Winnipeg: Monday, March 24, 2014
Media availability: 11:30 AM
Radisson Winnipeg Downtown Hotel
Hotel Lobby
288 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, MB

Yellowknife: Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Media availability: 3:45 PM
Yellowknife Airport
1 Yellowknife Highway
Yellowknife, NWT

Edmonton: Thursday, March 27, 2014
Media availability: 11:45 AM,
Matrix Hotel
Hotel Lobby
10640 100 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB

For more information or to schedule interviews please contact:

Daniel Charbonneau, Committee Clerk
Daniel.Charbonneau@sen.parl.gc.ca
1-800-267-7362 or 613-944-4082
On March 26, 2014 (Yellowknife) 613-371-0148

NT3