TVO plugs into Ontario's high tech economy with visit to Waterloo March 29 and 30

-   TVO brings its flagship current affairs program, The Agenda with
        Steve Paikin, to Waterloo March 29 and 30, 2009 for a two-day
        interactive event examining Ontario's innovation economy

    -   TVO seeks participation from stakeholders and interested parties in
        Ontario's high-tech economy for a daylong workshop Sunday March 29.
        All members of the public can register to be part of the audience for
        the broadcast airing Monday March 30 at 8 pm. Registration for both
        AgendaCamp and the broadcast at www.tvo.org/agendacampTORONTO, March 5 /CNW/ - President Barack Obama fought to keep his
Ontario-made Blackberry. And Stephen Hawking's appointment as Distinguished
Research Chair at the world-renowned Perimeter Institute in Waterloo further
attests to the high degree of innovation and talent that exists in Ontario's
high-tech sector. But as Ontario moves towards a more knowledge-based economy
what does the success of high-tech centres like Waterloo have to teach us, how
is it faring in the current global recession, and what lies ahead for
Ontario's innovation economy?
    On Sunday March 29 and Monday March 30 TVO's The Agenda with Steve
Paikin: On the Road, presented by Vale Inco, will be in Waterloo for the final
stop in its highly successful, five-city "On the Road" tour exploring the
changing nature of Ontario's regional economies. The focus in Waterloo will be
Ontario's innovation economy.
    "We've really been gratified by the reaction to these On the Road shows,"
says anchor and senior editor Steve Paikin. "We've learned so much at every
stop and the high-tech story is one that resonates in many parts of Ontario
with hubs not only in the Kitchener-Waterloo area but also in Ottawa and
Brampton. And across the province, we've discovered in a few AgendaCamps that
other communities are paying closer attention to the high-tech sector as a way
to diversify their own economies."
    TVO's visit to Waterloo will feature the AgendaCamp, a daylong workshop
on Sunday March 29 at the William G. Davis Computer Research Centre on the
campus of the University of Waterloo. A live broadcast of The Agenda with
Steve Paikin: On the Road will follow the next day, Monday March 30 at 8 pm,
from the Centre for International Governance Innovation.
    "The smart conversations and passionate debates we're sparking across
Ontario have been notable for both their depth, and their respectful tone,"
says Lisa de Wilde, TVO's Chief Executive Officer. "And as I'm certain we'll
see in Waterloo, when you provide engaged citizens with a platform that
encourages thoughtful consideration of differing points of view, people become
truly excited about working together to build a stronger community."
    The AgendaCamp, taking place the day before the broadcast, will be a key
part of the visit to Waterloo. The innovative TVO-hosted community forum will
bring together community leaders, policymakers, members of the public, program
guests, Steve Paikin and invited bloggers to problem-solve around the major
economic challenges and opportunities for the region as innovation becomes a
theme for the economy at large. A wider online audience will be able to follow
and contribute to the AgendaCamp at www.tvo.org/agendacamp. The best content,
including ideas, video clips, and questions from participants will be used on
the broadcast of The Agenda with Steve Paikin: On the Road the following day.
    To participate in the AgendaCamp on March 29, or for free tickets to be
part of the audience for The Agenda with Steve Paikin: On the Road on March
30, go to www.tvo.org/agendacamp to register.

    Previous stops for The Agenda with Steve Paikin: On the Road were Windsor
in October focusing on Ontario's manufacturing economy, Sault Ste. Marie in
November on the province's resource sector, Kingston in January on the
agriculture economy, and Thunder Bay in February on Ontario's Aboriginal
economy.

    About TVO

    TVO is Ontario's public educational media organization and a trusted
source of interactive educational content that informs, inspires and
stimulates curiosity and thought. TVO's vision is to empower people to be
engaged citizens of Ontario through educational media. For more information,
visit tvo.org.

    Where to find TVO

    Cable channel 2 (channel may vary in some areas), Bell TV channel 265,
Star Choice channel 353. For more information, visit tvo.org.

For further information: Media Contacts: Paul Ginis, TVO Communications,
[phone] x2445, [e-mail]; Anne Rubenstein, TVO Communications,
[phone], [e-mail]