Tories tuned out as digital TV transition looms

OTTAWA- With the deadline for the switch from analogue to digital TV now one year away many Canadians are still unsure how this will affect their television access. 

“So far the Conservative Government has dropped the ball preparing Canadians for this transition that has been in works since 2007,” said New Democrats Digital Issues Critic Charlie Angus.  “Canadians are completely unprepared for this change in service.  I am hearing from a lot of people who are worried that they won’t be able to watch TV after this goes through.”

The transition from analogue to digital will be a massive watershed for Canada’s broadcast sector and will allow for better quality and more channels being offered free over the air than the traditional analogue. 

However, if the transition is done haphazardly, tens of the thousands of Canadians will be left in the dark without any television service.

Prior to the switch-over to digital in the United States, the Obama administration engaged in a major public awareness campaign. Angus says the Conservatives had an opportunity to learn from the U.S. experience. Instead, they continue to ignore the looming deadline.

“Tony Clement has done nothing on the digital file. Industry isn’t ready. The public isn’t ready. The clock is ticking on this Ministers fading credibility,” said Angus.

It is estimated that up to 15 % of rural Canada will be left without television coverage when the transition takes place on August 31, 2011. Many more Canadians will find their analogue TV’s simply don’t work anymore.

Angus says there are many initiatives being proposed by broadcast and digital stakeholders on addressing the digital transition. But for these plans to succeed, the government needs to be at the table.

“Tony Clement just does not want to do any of the heavy lifting on this file. He has ignored the problem and is hoping the market will magically respond to the problem,” said Angus. “This isn’t going to happen. Clement needs to get to work.”