ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an historical account and analysis of the emergence and development in Canada of three communication sectors: the telegraph, the telephone, and broadcasting; of their relationship to the associated industrial arts or technologies; and of related government policies. It explores that historical evidence on the emergence and structuring of sectors of Canadian communication, is intended to reaffirm the importance of political economy and historical analyses in media and policy studies. The analysis throughout emphasizes also that Canadian decisions were made within the context of US influence, and often indeed of US control. The chapter was being revised it appeared that Canadian Pacific and Rogers might both sell their shares in Unitel, which was experiencing serious financial difficulty. In conclusion, it is to be emphasized that the Canadian patent pooling and market exclusivity contracts of 1923 resembled arrangements of 1920 and 1926 in the USA.
