ACTRA calls on CRTC to deny transaction

Ottawa, November 19, 2007 - ACTRA calls on the CRTC to deny CanWest Global's U.S.-funded takeover of one of Canada's leading media companies, Alliance Atlantis Communications. As a result of the complex deal, U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs will end up with effective control of both CanWest and Alliance Atlantis.

"This is foreign ownership by the back door. This deal effectively gives a U.S. company control over a Canadian broadcaster, which is a violation of the Broadcasting Act and Canadian public policy," said Richard Hardacre, ACTRA National President.

"Increased foreign control of broadcasting would damage our cultural sovereignty, deepen the crisis in Canadian drama and potentially jeopardize Canadian content rules," Hardacre added.

The CRTC begins public hearings on the secretive billion-and-a-half dollar deal today. ACTRA appears at the hearings on Tuesday, November 20.

"No amount of tinkering, layering or manoeuvring will resolve the fundamental problem of the de facto control of CanWest and Alliance Atlantis by Goldman Sachs in this deal," Hardacre added.

"ACTRA vigorously opposes this deal because it gives Americans effective control of two Canadian media companies. Adding insult to injury, CanWest is lowballing its contributions to Canadian dramatic programming and the industry. No deal," said Hardacre.

ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) is the national organization of professional performers working in the English-language recorded media in Canada. ACTRA represents the interests of 21,000 members across Canada - the foundation of Canada’s highly acclaimed professional performing community.

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For more information:
Susan Ponting, ACTRA National Public Relations Officer
Direct: 416-644-1519 cell: 416-897-7028 Toll Free: 1-800-387-3516 ext. 4045
sponting@actra.ca