Broadcasting's Future - The CAB Topic In Winnipeg

Legendary Canadian rockers Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings will headline a stellar lineup of musical talent at The Future Summit, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ 2005 Annual Convention in Winnipeg.

FACING THE FUTURE HEAD ON!: Glenn O’Farrell Speech to Canadian Club of Winnipeg

QUOTES, worth a read whether you're Canadian or not...

* Canada’s broadcasting system is at a crossroads. There is no going back. Broadband technology will continue to race forward. It will evolve andimprove. And consumer demand will grow with these improvements.And that is a good thing. There are exciting new opportunities for innovation and creativity.

* The challenge for our industry is to ensure that all content providers along with radio and TV broadcasters use new technologies in a way that furthers the objectives of the Broadcasting Act. Broadcasters big and small must look forward, stay on the cutting edge and adapt.

* New business models will require strong policies to support them. If Canada’s broadcasters are to be competitive with a host of new technologies, they will need aregulatory regime that allows them the flexibility to compete while remaining true to theBroadcasting Act.

* We must think smart and develop solutions that will allow us to continue to tell Canadian stories, to broadcast Canadian news and to serve Canadian communities. Collaboration and co-operation have never been more important.

* Ultimately, regulations must do what they have always done – move us forward, embrace newtechnologies and safeguard Canada’s national identity. Over the past 80 years private broadcasters have demonstrated their ability to provide Canadian audiences in every corner of the country with the programming they need and want. I am confident that Canadian broadcasters, with the support of a dynamic and smart regulatory system, will face the future head on.

Also at the "Gold Ribbon Awards" Gala on Tuesday November 8th, the evening begins with Doc Walker, winners of both the Canadian Country Music Association Group of the Year and West Coast Music Awards’ Entertainer of the Year awards in 2004. This should be a great show, a home-coming for the busy country band.