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Oh, please, don't you guys ever get tired of spouting off about things you know nothing about?

We get lots of US channels on cable and sattelite here. There are some that aren't allowed, however, because they would compete with Canada's versions of those. (not saying I agree with this thinking, btw) Also, you can't legally get US sattelite services because they won't knowingly sell them here. The reason for this is that broadcasters buy the rights to broadcast programming in certain markets, and the US broadcasters aren't paying for the rights to broadcast in Canada. Canadian broadcasters are paying for the rights to broadcast that programming in Canada.

Now, the Canadian gov't is cracking down on the distributors of grey market dishes in Canada, and will confiscate them from those who own them if they find them. Of course, most of them are also being used with illegal "cracked" HU cards and such to allow piracy of signals not paid for. This is mostly a sop to the Canadian dish networks, but they are also cracking down on those who distribute equipment for piracy of Canadian sattelite signals.

Yes, our laws require that there is no reporting of election results in western regions where the polls close later than those in the east, for somewhat obvious reasons. They do not censor news stories not related to election results. And yes, our gov't enforces publication bans (when there is one, which is not in all trials) on reporting of trials in Canada.

To sum up, yes we do do some things differently here, and our government does try to defend Canadian culture as they see it. I don't agree with Canadian content requirements personally, although they did help to foster Canadian performers in the past, but the situation is hardly as draconian or all-encompassing as you make it out.

Oh, please, don't you guys ever get tired of spouting off about things you know nothing about?

I am Canadian and what I've posted is accurate. There is very limited access to the Canadian market for cable channels from the states. None of my friends or family have ever seen the Fox News Channel becasue it is not available in most Canadian markets and is not available on the mini satellite dish systems available in Canada.

We get lots of US channels on cable and sattelite here.

You do not get even a fraction of what is offered in the U.S. as basic service. A good friend of mine has a satellite dish in Canada and he has fewer stations than the typical services here.

Now, the Canadian gov't is cracking down on the distributors of grey market dishes in Canada, and will confiscate them from those who own them if they find them.

THat's my beef with the Canadian government. They are paranoid about American content in the Canadian market. They deliberately removed my choice on what I want to see on TV or hear on the radio. The Canadian alternatives, which only exist through the blessing of the federal government, are terrible. If "Canadian" culture is so marvelous, it should be allowed to compete with American entertainment. The government fears this because of anti-American bias and because the Canadian content is so much weaker than what is produced in the U.S. It also is protectionism at its worst. I'm glad I bought a satellite radio for the times I drive to Canada just so I can hear the music and news I like and not what I'm told to like. The Canadian government has never believed in freedom of choice.

ALso, there would be no need to crack down on U.S. satellite receivers if the government would permit their sale in Canada. They won't because they don't want Canadians to pollute their minds with things of American origin. The government stopped it, just like China and Cuba restrict what people can see on TV and hear on the radio. Don't you understand how intrusive and controlling the Canadian system is? THey'll let Al-jezeera on the satellite systems, but not Fox News. It's pure socialism and I'm happy to be away from it. Remember, if the government controls what you can see and hear in the media, they can manipulate your opinion by blocking contrary opinions. How else could the Liberal party maintain power for so long and so frequently?

Yes, our laws require that there is no reporting of election results in western regions where the polls close later than those in the east, for somewhat obvious reasons.

In other words, freedom of the press does not exist in Canada.

And yes, our gov't enforces publication bans (when there is one, which is not in all trials) on reporting of trials in Canada.

And how do Canadians know that the trials are fair if they are blacked out? Another example of government control of the media.

but the situation is hardly as draconian or all-encompassing as you make it out.

I disagree. When the government uses the force of law to enforce it's wishes, it means the government, through the police, is willing to use deadly force, if necessary, to take away your satellite dish if you can see TV shows that the government does not approve. What would happen if you did get a grey market (created by the government media control) dish, the police came to take it and you refused to comply? Then again it is Canada where you can marry your gay lover and get legally stoned on pot to pass the time because the TV is terrible.

...but the situation is hardly as draconian or all-encompassing as you make it out.

Uhh... Mr./Ms. Toronto, try doing a web search on Google. Notice it saysGoogle.ca The "ca" limits your searches through a Canukian server. Try to buy or sell on eBay. Its a Canukian version - a reduced market.

The CBC is a "Crown Corporation". Owned and operated by your federal Liberal government in Ottawa. CTV is Canukia's second largest broadcasting network owned by Baton Broadcasting in YYZ ... err, Toronto. Baton Broadcasting is owned by the Bassett family. Douglas Bassett Junior runs the day to day operations. Douglas Bassett senior however, runs the day to day operations of Canukia's security and intelligence agency CSIS. Tell us there's no connection. Global Broadcasting (owned by Standard Broadcasting and Canukia's third largest broadcaster) is run essentially by two share holding families, one whom was the formerly into major government loans and the other is married into a not so distantly former Prime Minister's family. (And while this is being ignored, don't mention the Power Corporation, out of Quebec and who runs that.

Now I could go on about Stentor, Canukia's Government and Bell Telephone oligarchy that rules the telephone and cell telephone systems but, I sorta doubt you'd find anything wrong with that either. And I won't go on about your current unelected Prime Minister, Paul Martin who owns Canada Steamship Lines (Canada's largest shipping company) and the fact that every single ship in his fleet is flagged with an offshore flag.

You're correct. Its not that draconian, its incestuous. Its not that all-encompassing, its pervasive and incideous. And besides, Americans don't know squat about Canukia, right ?