Digital Copyright Canada

Copied from a post to the Fair Copyright for Canada Facebook group.

Thank you for taking the time to write regarding Bill C-11, An Act to amend the Copyright Act. We appreciate having the benefit of your comments and the opportunity to let you know more about our work on a number of these legislative concerns.

New Democrats want updated copyright laws to balance the rights of artists, consumers and rights-holders. We believe that Canada needs effective legislation to ensure artists’ royalties are protected; long-distance education opportunities aren’t hindered; and that young people aren’t subject to unfair, expensive fines.

That’s why we will not be supporting Bill C-11 unless the government is willing to amend the digital lock provisions and restore royalty provisions for artists.

On November 24, 2011 we had the fifth time when the House of Commons debated Bill C-11 (at Second Reading).

The debate ended with the speaker asking if the house is ready to vote on the amendment. This vote was deferred until Monday at the end of government orders.

I believe the amendment is the one brought by Hon. Geoff Regan (Halifax West, Lib.) on the first day of debate which read:

That the motion be amended by deleting all of the words after the word “That” and submitting the following:

“this House declines to give second reading to Bill C-11, An Act to amend the Copyright Act, because it fails to:

(a) uphold the rights of consumers to choose how to enjoy the content that they purchase through overly-restrictive digital lock provisions;

(b) include a clear and strict test for “fair dealing” for education purposes; and

(c) provide any transitional funding to help artists adapt to the loss of revenue streams that the Bill would cause.

Given the Conservatives have a majority this amendment will fail the vote, but it is interesting to see what the focus from the Liberals have been.

A report from the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs lists the 12 members of the new Legislative Committee on Bill C-11 as follows:

Charlie Angus (Timmins—James Bay, NDP)
Scott Armstrong (Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, Conservative)
Tyrone Benskin (Jeanne-Le Ber, NDP)
Peter Braid (Kitchener—Waterloo, Conservative)
Paul Calandra (Oak Ridges—Markham, Conservative)
Andrew Cash (Davenport, NDP)
Dean Del Mastro (Peterborough, Conservative)
Mike Lake (Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, Conservative)
Phil McColeman (Brant, Conservative)
Rob Moore (Fundy Royal, Conservative)
Pierre Nantel (Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, NDP)
Geoff Regan (Halifax West, Liberal)

I have sent a form letter to all Conservative MPs, and a derived letter to all NDP MP's asking the above question.

Thus far I haven't heard anything from Conservative MPs other than some acknowledging receipt.

I have received better response from the Official Opposition NDP. Jack Layton's staffer let me know that "MP Charlie Angus will continue on in his role as critic for digital issues". A few moments ago I received a voice call from Peter Stoffer himself to let me know to contact Charlie. Another MP staffer is looking into setting up an in-person meeting with a newly elected MP.