OTTAWA, ONTARIO, January 28, 2009

In the wake of yesterday’s federal budget, the Canadian Interactive Alliance / l’Alliance interactive canadienne (CIAIC) is pleased to see that the Telefilm Canada New Media Fund has been renewed and made a permanent part of the Conservative government’s spending plans.

While the stated funding level of $14.3 million annually seems to represent a small reduction from previous levels, the CIAIC is nonetheless heartened that this important funding mechanism appears to have a stable future ahead of it.

“The Telefilm Canada New Media Fund has played a pivotal role in garnering Canada the reputation as a worldwide leader in the creation of Interactive Media,” says Ian Kelso, President of the CIAIC. “It is crucial now that Conservative government and Telefilm announce plans for the Fund’s 2009-2010 fiscal year without delay, to ensure there is no gap in funds available at a time when they are most needed.”

The Fund had been responsive to the evolving needs of the interactive media industry in Canada through policy decisions such as a more flexible application process and the launch of the Great Canadian Video Game Competition in 2006. However, with a two-year extension set to expire on March 31, 2009, the Fund had closed to new applications and was preparing for discontinuation including the recall of any funds invested but not spent by the end of the fiscal year.

“On the whole we are very disappointed that the Canada New Media Fund has stagnated at 2005 levels while global markets have grown exponentially and the need for innovation across many interactive platforms has risen enormously.” said Kelso. “We are hopeful though that this is just the beginning of the government’s strategy to invest in this, one of the fastest-growing sectors of the global economy, to ensure that Canada realizes the opportunities it has to build the capacity it needs to play a leadership role.”

About CIAIC

Formed in June 2005, the Canadian Interactive Alliance/l’Alliance Interactive Canadienne is a not-for-profit association and the authoritative voice for Canada’s interactive digital media industry on the national stage. Its membership is composed of seven provincial interactive media associations: Alliance Numérique, Digital Alberta, Interactive Media Alliance of PEI, Interactive Ontario, Manitoba Interactive Digital Media Association, New Media BC, and SaskInteractive.

For more on the alliance, visit the CIAIC’s website at http://www.ciaic.ca.

Information: contact
James Lewis, executive director, (613) 878-7604 or james@ciaic.ca