As we move from the analog to the digital era, Canada must act to preserve its broadcast legacy because this is an essential component of its national history. We need a practical, affordable process that will result in the collection and preservation of the remnants of this country's analog radio and television heritage, and to design parallel initiatives to deal with ‘born digital’ programming going forward.

In the interim, where established stations cease to broadcast whether due to non–renewal or return of licence (e.g., CKX–TV), the Foundation requests that the closure process involve an effort to preserve — at either the regional or national level — basic records and artefacts that document the station's history, a process with which the CBMF/FMCR would be pleased to assist.

Tomorrow, the events of today will be history. It is in that context that we respectfully suggest that the opportunity provided by consideration of expansion of fee–for–carriage to Canada's OTA broadcasters may be the last chance to at least partially ‘make right’ the sad — and embarrassing — loss of much of the electronic record of seven decades of our shared history, a practice that, in the national interest, must not — for a simple failure to act — be permitted to continue.