Information Highway Advisory Council

Federal Industry Minister John Manley established the Information Highway Advisory Council (IHAC) in 1994 to provide advice on an Information Highway strategy. In September 1995, the Council submitted to Mr. Manley a report containing some 300 recommendations for action by the federal government, provincial governments and the private sector.

Minister Manley requested the Council to continue into 1997 and the Council recently re-convened for its second phase.

The Council has identified a number of issues it wishes to consider, including:

• affordable and equitable access to essential communications services
  
• the role of the Internet in the Information Highway
  
• new strategies to strengthen Canadian content and encourage the use of French on the Internet
  
• initiatives for stimulating electronic commerce and technological innovation
  
• measures to respond to changes occurring in the workplace
  
• building a lifelong learning culture in Canada.
  

The 29-member Council includes representatives from the telecommunications, broadcasting and information technology industries and institutions, from the artistic, creative and educational communities, and from consumer and labour organizations.