Long-awaited digital strategy close to release, says industry minister

OTTAWA – Industry Minister James Moore says the Conservative government’s long-promised digital strategy is coming soon — he’s even showing off the cover page.

Moore is the third minister in the portfolio to talk up a federal policy that would govern how Canada embraces the digital age in order to stay competitive globally.

But even after a long consultation on economic issues undertaken by predecessor Tony Clement, nothing formal emerged.

Moore says the wait is over, and the new policy, called Digital Canada 150, will cover more than just economics.

Some of the details were contained in the last federal budget, including measures to expand broadband access to remote and rural areas.

Moore says that other aspects will include promoting Canadian cultural content and making sure Canadians can properly connect with their government online.