At the Banff Television Festival earlier this month, Richard Stursberg, the executive director of Telefilm Canada, announced a series of measures to improve the corporation’s decision-making, processes and overall performance. He told producers that the changes centre on a modified management structure, simplified processes, and the development of a statement of values. Below is an excerpt from Stursberg’s speech, in which he outlines his ideas for a simplified funding application process.

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Sylvia Sweeney has been appointed as executive director of the National Film Board (NFB)’s Ontario Production Centre. The appointment is effective June 24. Prior to joining the NFB, Sweeney was president since 1987 of Elitha Peterson Productions Inc. She replaces Louise Lore, who is leaving the NFB after six and a half years in the position.

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Persona Communications continues acquisition spree
Persona Communications Inc. has inked a $550,000-deal to purchase some of the fibre assets of Gateway Telephone Ltd. from an interim receiver, the company formerly known as Regional Cablesystems announced June 13. Persona will acquire over 250 route kilometres of Gateway’s fibre network between Sudbury and North Bay and local loop fibres within the two cities. Persona will also acquire 45 kilometres of 144 and 96-count fibre in Gateway’s inventory that it will use to expand its network in northern Ontario. The acquisition will be funded through the company’s 2002 capital budget (CCR Update, May 29/02). Persona noted that the enhanced fibre optic network will allow it to provide additional cable TV and telecom services. Persona already operates a Class 1 cable system in the Sudbury area. The deal is expected to close by June 30. As well, Persona notes that it is "strategically positioned" to offer digital cable TV, broadband Internet and telecom and data services to many areas around the recently announced Voisey Bay nickel development. Persona operates the cable system in Argentia, the proposed site of the new nickel smelter, and in Goose Bay, which is expected to be the main service centre for the project. On June 17, Persona announced another acquisition, this time in the Quebec market. It inked a $23.4-million agreement for 24 cable systems comprising 20,000 subscribers in Quebec. Persona said it would acquire all outstanding shares of Consortium Cable-Axion Digitel Inc., Cable-Axion Quebec Inc. and Cable-Axion Digitel Inc. for $13 million in cash and $11.8 million in Persona common stock. The deal is subject to regulatory approval. The cable systems run from Quebec City to Montreal, mostly in rural areas.

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A recent Federal Court of Canada ruling means that the House of Commons Broadcasting Service (HCBS) will likely have to change its agreement with the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC) to ensure that broadcast distributors provide both the English and French feeds of House proceedings. The HCBS currently provides three versions of the televised proceedings of the House: the floor feed of what is actually said, an English feed, and a French feed. But due to capacity constraints, some cable operators carry only the floor feed, which means the French segments may not be understood by Anglophones, and the sections of the debate carried out in English may not be understood by Francophones.

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Atlantic Canada telephone company Aliant Telecom is winding down its digital TV service VibeVision and will instead offer Bell ExpressVu LP’s satellite TV service to its customers, the company announced this week. While some industry observers predict that other Canadian telcos planning digital TV deployments using high-speed phone lines will eventually abandon their plans, the telcos say Aliant’s move has no impact on their strategies.

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The implementation of a digital test transmitter in Montreal has been delayed due to "hot spots" on Mount Royal, according to Canadian Digital Television (CDTV) president Michael McEwen. Industry Canada has decided not to issue licences for any more transmitters at the location due to "hot spots" from existing transmitters, which could be a health hazard if people stand too long in the area.

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