The following letter was dated "Thu, 13 Oct 2005 15:46:33 -0400", in reply to an earlier letter.
Mr. Russell McOrmond
russell@flora.ca
Dear Mr. McOrmond:
Thank you for your email dated September 4, 2005, in which you express your views with respect to intellectual property issues.
On June 20, 2005, the Ministers of Canadian Heritage and Industry Canada tabled a bill to amend the Copyright Act. One of the objectives of the bill is to amend the Copyright Act in order to implement the copyright protections required by two World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaties: the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty.
Prior to the tabling of this bill, the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage held hearings with respect to some major copyright reform issues. Bill C-60, An Act to amend the Copyright Act, takes into account the results of these consultations.
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of protecting creative works while striking an appropriate balance between creators' rights and users' needs. Bill C-60 will enter the parliamentary process and will be considered this session.
Again, thank you for sharing your views.
Sincerely,
The Honourable James Scott Peterson, P.C., M.P.
Minister of International Trade