Warning that Canada's new media creators are falling behind their counterparts around the globe, Heritage Minister Bev Oda pledged a $29-million renewal of the Canada New Media Fund on Sunday.

"The rate and speed in which Canadians are moving into the new era seems to be lagging behind those in some other countries," Oda said during her opening address for the Banff World Television Festival.

Oda stressed the importance of supporting domestic creators and offering Canadian new media choices in today's crowded digital media marketplace.

Administered by Telefilm Canada, the Canada New Media Fund was created in 2001 to support the development, production, marketing and distribution of original Canadian new media projects in both official languages.

Over the past six years, the fund has supported projects such as PC games and digital consoles, travel and tourism CD-ROMS, historical and educational websites, DVDs, and streaming audio and video online.

Jeff Bradshaw, head of Calgary-based online video production company Jetstream Digital Media, agrees that Canada has been slower to embrace new media technologies.

"We are lagging behind, but I think it's because there's a disconnect, in my opinion, between the new media developers and the content developers," he told CBC News.

The Banff World Television Festival continues through Wednesday with industry pitch sessions, panels and workshops with prominent writers and producers, and appearances by personalities such as environmentalist David Suzuki and actress Daryl Hannah.

Organizers will also present a series of honours, including the award of excellence to CSI: Crime Scene Investigation executive producer and co-creator Carol Mendelsohn, the Sir Peter Ustinov Comedy Award to Gilbert Rozen and his Just For Laughs festival and a number of prizes at the Banff World Television Awards.

With files from the Canadian Press