Digital Copyright Canada

Of the 12 members of the C-32 committee, three of them were from the Liberal party of Canada. The primary three were Pablo Rodriguez (Honoré-Mercier), Marc Garneau (Westmount—Ville-Marie), and Hon. Dan McTeague ( Pickering—Scarborough East). Filling in when one of these three members couldn’t attend was Francis Scarpaleggia (Lac-Saint-Louis), Hon. John McCallum (Markham—Unionville), Scott Simms (Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor) and Yasmin Ratansi (Don Valley East).

Watching some election speeches, I continue to see Conservative Party leader Steven Harper talk about the so-called “iPod tax” which he says the opposition parties want and which the Conservatives don’t want. While it is typical of the silliness during campaigns, the reality of this policy is more nuanced than the campaign speeches and partisan talking points are.

The short form is that this is not a new policy, but proposed changes to an existing part of the Canadian Copyright act. The Conservatives supported the status-quo in Bill C-32, the Liberals proposed replacing it, the Bloc supported expanding it, and the NDP supported finally having the necessary conversation to do something.

A Hill Times article discusses copyright, including some interesting quotes from Mr. Dean Del Mastro.

"If we want to maintain good trade relationships with the United States, if we want to be able to get a free trade agreement in place with the European Union, if we want to see the kind of growth in the knowledge-based economy that we believe is so important to Canada, then we have got to update the Copyright Act," Mr. Del Mastro said.

A Winnipeg Free Press article discusses the race in Saanich--Gulf Islands. Candidates in this district include incumbent Hon. Gary Lunn who was previously Minister of Natural Resources, and leader of the Green Party Elizabeth May.

Although May is an opponent of nuclear power, Linda Keen said the Green leader's fair-minded approach makes her a preferable alternative to Gary Lunn, Keen's former boss and May's Conservative opponent in the Vancouver Island riding of Saanich-Gulf Island

While unrelated to technology law or nuclear power, I want to discuss and get feedback from this community on a few questions: Should Ms. May should be included in the television debates? What criteria we should use? What are your thoughts on campaign finance reform?

I live in the electoral district of Ottawa South. While people have asked me during the election which party to vote for that would best protect their rights in relation to technology law, I don't offer them the answer they want. I say to get involved in the local district, and find out which person or person(s) will best represent them. Having sat down with many MPs over the years, I truly believe it comes down to the individuals and not the parties.

Today I dropped in on the campaign offices of and Conservative Elie Salibi (@VoteElieSalibi) and Liberal David McGuinty (@DavidMcGuinty).

Of the 12 members of the C-32 committee, two of them were from the Bloc Québécois. Carole Lavallée (Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert) and Serge Cardin (Sherbrooke) were there at each meeting, with Guy André (Berthier—Maskinong) being on-hand for one meeting just in case there was a vote (He didn't speak that I am aware of).

I believe the questions directed at me when I had an opportunity to speak before the committee were typical of what I heard other meetings.

According to CTV news and CBC-Radio Canada, past Heritage Minister James Moore has decided to step out of the election race to work for Apple Computer, inc. While it is not unprecedented for past cabinet ministers to leave politics for jobs in the private sector, of even for nominated candidates to step out after the election is called, this is an unusual combination.

In response to a tweet from me asking for comments about C-32 to add to the Kitchener - Waterloo district section of this site, incumbent Conservative candidate Peter Braid wrote:

A very strong Bill supporting innovation and IP that has died because of the Opposition Coalition's naked ambition #elxn41

According to CTV, Actor Martin Laroche, star of the French television series "François en series" who has played numerous other film, television and stage roles, was announced as the Bloc's candidate in the riding of Honoré-Mercier.

Liberal Pablo Rodriguez (Heritage critic, member of C-32 committee) won in 2008 with 43% of the vote, with a lower profile Bloc candidate coming in second at 28.1%. In 2006 it was 38.2% to 34.8%, and in 2004 it was 46.1% to 40.4%.

So that constituents can find quickly what their past MP may have said at a C-32 committee, I've created the following table of meetings and which members of the committee were present at that meeting. The minutes and transcripts from the meeting are on the parliamentary website.