Dear Mr. McOrmond,
I think discussions about Bill C-60 are important, and I'm surprised questions surrounding this bill haven't been raised in more interviews and discussions I've had with students. I think this could potentially be an area where younger candidates might be able to provide more insight than our older counterparts.
If I were in Ms. Bulte's current position, I would either cancel my fundraiser and refuse donations from (what is essentially) a pro-copywrite lobby group, or decline the position of Heritage Minister if offered. Especially in the midst of an already scandal-plagued Liberal campaign, these just seem to be the obvious courses of action for Ms. Bulte. As NDP candidate Peggy Nash pointed out in their Parkdale all-candidate meeting, "If this was the big banks doing this for the finance minister, people would question that."
As for Mr. Geist's pledge, I would take it unquestionably. It makes both common and ethical sense.
I have attached the Party's response to the CIPPIC. Even as a private citizen I would be opposed to Bill C-60 in its current form.
With regard to Bill C-60, Michael Geist points out that the NDP is the only party who has tried to achieve a "balance" of rights in this debate. Personally, I believe we should strive to adopt a similar model to Australia's approach to copywrite reform which recognizes room in the debate for allowing everyday forms of private copying that does not harm copyright owners.
I have close friends involved in all aspects of the music industry (I know many industries have a stake in the legislative outcome of this debate) who are divided on this issue but feel that no real discussion or debate has yet taken place, or if there has, they've been completely left out.
I will admit I have a lot more to learn with regard to the issues you raise, and I will be taking the time over the next few days to review the articles and links that you have included in your email.
Thanks for your interest in our campaign and for sharing your thoughts on these important issues. Please get in touch if you wish to discuss these or any other issues further.
Sincerely,
Anna Mather
www.annamather.ca