Copps vows $30 million for Internet programming: [Final Edition]

Abstract

Heritage Minister Sheila Copps, who announced the new Multimedia Fund at the Banff Television Festival, said the money will help Canadian companies stay on the cutting edge of computer technology.

BANFF -- More than $30 million is being made available by the federal government to provide interest-free loans to multimedia companies developing programming largely for the Internet.

Heritage Minister Sheila Copps, who announced the new Multimedia Fund at the Banff Television Festival, said the money will help Canadian companies stay on the cutting edge of computer technology.

"The fund will assist in development, services and productions that will tell Canadian stories to Canadians and to people around the world," Copps said.

Multimedia refers to any kind of programming produced with computerized, digital technology. Projects eligible for funding include computerized graphics, videos, animation, text, fixed images and audio tracks.

There are more than 650 multimedia companies in Canada that employ 17,000 people, Copps said.