6. Setting the Agenda in Canada

We propose that the issues identified in sections 2 to 4 of this discussion paper constitute a preliminary agenda for a national digital strategy. That agenda can be beefed up by starting to think about goals and objectives within which the agenda can fit. Since how to pull off a national distribution strategy is not as evident as it first might seem, we suggest ways to design the process for generating a national digital strategy.

6.1 A Preliminary Agenda

In addition to the identification of issues, the framework for a national digital strategy should start to define the goals and objectives of a national strategy. To assist in the process of creating an agenda, we have summarized the issues discussed in sections 2, 3, and 4, and correlated them with possible strategic goals for a national digital strategy (See Table 4).

	Issues to Address	Strategic Goals and Objectives
Digital Literacy Issues	Are existing educational and training institutions equipped to enable Canadians with the appropriate tools of digital literacy for the workforce and daily life? What measures are available to help the existing workforce in the cultural and communications industries transition to new digital platforms? How should governments adopt digital delivery and communications solutions to improve their productivity and engage the increasingly digitally literate citizenry?	Provide direction for education, training, and on the job skills enhancement to improve effectiveness of communications and cultural industries sectors. Apply digital tools to improve public service delivery and the democratic process.
Cultural Industries’ Issues	What changes should be made in cultural policy to account for the effects of digital technologies on cultural industries? How should support measures be reviewed to ensure they are flexible enough to accommodate the adaptation of cultural industries to digital platforms? How should financial incentives be reoriented to help make companies in cultural industries more sustainable? What is the role of private broadcasting and distribution networks in the creation and dissemination of Canadian content in a converged world? How does CBC's mandate fit into national digital strategy objectives, and what is the best way to resource the CBC to achieve those objectives? In what ways would copyright reform support content development, innovation, and other aspects of a national digital strategy?	Stimulate Canadian innovation and new digital business models in technology, services, and content. Foster an environment where producers & other content developers can invest in IP and market it globally. Focus on the development of IP would logically lead to more effective copyright legislation.
Infrastructure Issues	How should Canada set standards for universal service in broadband, and how should they evolve over time and by target economic sector / activity? Are there overall directions that should be communicated to the regulator as to how net neutrality should be factored into the concept of universal access? What is the right incentive system to ensure universal access to broadband? What kind of regulatory incentives and public subsidy of consumer equipment, if any, should be considered to help facilitate the transition of TV and radio to digital? How can government best promote technological and business model innovation among Canadian companies and entrepreneurs? From where should public funds be obtained to encourage private investment in universal access and Canadian content – future spectrum auctions, direct funding, high-speed connections transactions, or other alternatives?	Establish an evolving standard for universal broadband service. Incent private investment to extend broadband access. Ease Canadians’ transition to digital TV services. Promote technological innovation while expanding digital infrastructure.

A national digital strategy will also help Canada emerge from the recession and partake in some of the fastest growing areas of the global economy. Since the development of a national strategy is the first step toward implementation, the process should be structured in a way that facilitates decisions and action.