Digital Copyright Canada

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: OCTOBER 22, 2009
 
MASSE DEMANDS CONSUMER PROTECTION & INTERNET COMPETITION
Government must withdraw C-27 amendment and overturn CRTC decision

 
OTTAWA – Today, NDP Industry Critic Brian Masse (Windsor West) demanded during Question Period in the House of Commons that the government protect internet consumers’ privacy from spam fraudsters by withdrawing an amendment to Bill C-27, the Electronic Commerce Protection Act (ECPA) that would allow private companies to search individuals’ computers without permission or consent. Masse also demanded that competition be restored in the broadband market by requesting the government overturn yesterday’s CRTC decision, which allows Bell and other giant Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to throttle the internet traffic of competitors or end users to the detriment of both.

I have been asked a few times what the impact on copyright is of the current political turmoil. The general feeling is that even before the current situation, the economic crisis would already have pushed issues like copyright to the back burner of any party. It has been stated by much better political observers than I am that, even while mentioned in the recent throne speech and in the Conservative party platform, that copyright won't show up any time soon.

John MacDonald, on behalf of Mike Shields - NDP candidate in Oshawa

Thank you for your interest in the views of Canada's New Democrats on the critical issues facing Canadians.

We appreciate your efforts to help voters make an informed decision on voting day.

Jack Layton and the New Democrats were quick to condemn the Conservative's changes to Canada's copyright laws.

I notice a thread on SlashDot about C-61 dieing with the election being called. What I find interesting is how many people have stated publicly that they plan to vote NDP as the party most likely to gain a number of seats which has a reasonable view on Copyright. SlashDot has tended to have people who are right-of-center, towards Libertarian views, so is a community that would traditionally be closer to what the Conservatives claim to represent. There are people who claim to be lifelong conservatives looking towards the NDP this election, feeling the Conservatives have abandoned them.

NDP Digital spokesperson Charlie Angus has been extremely visible in this debate, and the more fellow NDP members that get elected, the more powerful Mr. Angus' voice becomes.

The Green Party (more centre-right) is also mentioned, although with only one MP that didn't have a chance to stand and speak in the house as a Green, people aren't sure about them yet. There also hasn't been a digital spokesperson constantly speaking out on this issue, with the NDP being the only party (with or without seats in the house) who has such a person. It would be great if such a person came forward from each party who could put a positive face onto that party, but thus far this hasn't happened.