Former NewMIC head blames feds for closure
The New Media Innovation Centre (NewMIC) in Vancouver would still be operating today had Western Economic Diversification Canada, which is part of the Industry Canada portfolio, decided to renew funding, says the centre’s former head. Shahid Hussain, who was CEO of the now-defunct NewMIC, tells Canadian NEW MEDIA that months of dithering on Ottawa’s part created uncertainty among the sustaining private-sector members, and that private-sector woes in the telecom and technology sectors meant the centre couldn’t survive without public assistance. Now, NewMIC’s assets are in the hands of a Vancouver bankruptcy trustee (CNM, Nov. 21/03). CNM will have further details in its full issue next week.