OTTAWA--Canada’s four biggest cable companies should contribute 10 per cent of their total revenues—including phone and Internet—to the Canada Media Fund (CMF) and other federally sponsored cultural funds, the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting says in a submission for Industry Canada’s digital economy consultation.

“The Canada Media Fund, and other federally-sponsored funds can be augmented substantially by tapping into the huge profits of the four big cable monopolies, whose profit before interest and taxes in 2009 exceeded 25%,” the Friends, an independent watchdog group, wrote in its submission.

“FRIENDS recommends a 10% levy on revenues, and preventing these monopolies from recouping the contribution from their subscribers.” 

Contact Ryan O'Neill at 613-232-5952 ext. 222 or roneill@thewirereport.ca
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