In 2006 Canada had a thriving $1 billion per year pornography industry, or $30.21 per capita. It was the ninth top video porn producer in the world. Canadians are also voracious purveyors of Internet pornography. Unfortunately, this includes children, usually by accident. The average age children are first exposed to Internet porn is 11-years-old while in the eight through 16-year-old age group 90% have been exposed to a hard core porn site, usually while doing homework. The reason? Many porn sites link themselves to seemingly innocuous words kids will search - like action figure or even something as outwardly innocent as Pokemon.

A recent letter to the editor in the Commentator informed readers that the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approved two new pornography channels in Canada, mandating Canadian content on both. The first is Vanessa, out of Montreal and the second is Northern Peaks, an Alberta pay-TV porn channel, for which 50% Canadian content is required.

The Burdett Women’s Institute, as a group, is speaking out against this action and encouraging locals to join them in writing letters to their Members of Parliament in protest of adding to the legitimacy of this already robust industry, which has been arguably addictive and destructive, attacking family core values and morality.

Sheila Bjerkseth, acting secretary for the Burdett Women’s Institute said she has already sent letters to MP LaVar Payne as well as Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

“One gal in Irvine sent in a letter to the CRTC too, but you don’t get much from them,” she added.

She said the WI has long battled against the purveyance of pornography. In the 1990s they conducted a province-wide campaign which eventually forced those who sell pornographic magazines to ensure they were placed beyond children’s eye level. Bjerkseth added she understands pornography is addictive and can lead to other problems.

The Member of Parliament, LaVar Payne, said he is investigating the issue, which has just been brought to his attention.

“I have been trying to get some information,” he said. “Part of the problem is the CRTC is an entity that is at arms-length from parliament, so getting information or trying to do something about this is difficult. I have been in touch with the minister’s office and I know they are responsible for broadcasting and so on, but we can’t intervene in day to day activities. This is certainly not something the government brings forward. From what I understand an application is made and they hold a hearing on these things.”However, whether the applications passed through a hearing or not, Payne said he doesn’t support more porn channels.

“I am certainly not in favour of this. Hopefully at the national caucus in August I can corner the minister and see if there is anything he can do about it.”

For those interested in writing letters, Payne’s address in Medicine Hat is 112-1310 Kingsway Ave. SE, T1A 2Y4. He can also be emailed at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .