The A2K problem: copyright, accessibility and the future of copyright in Canada
Remember Y2K? It was the year 2000 that kicked off the new millennium—an age that could potentially become a new era of access to knowledge (A2K)—an age of wider, broader and more universal access to many types of knowledge than ever thought possible. Yet, there are many obstacles to a broad and egalitarian access to […]
It’s time to find a balance between new media and copyright
Thanks to a decade of hard-hitting anti-piracy campaigning, Canadians are all too familiar with the destructive potential of new media. The copyright lobby in Canada encourages the view that “digital piracy” will end careers, topple industries, lead to mass “theft” of intellectual property and undermine Canadian culture. Although updated and Canadianized, copyright owners have been […]
Copyright needs to be amended to do justice to artists, copyright holders, says Bloc MP Lavallée
The following is an edited excerpt from Bloc Québécois MP Carole Lavallée’s speech in the House on Nov. 2 at second reading of Bill C-32, the Modernization Copyright Act. P ARLIAMENT HILL—The Bloc Québécois believes that Bill C-32, whose goal is apparently—I repeat, “apparently”—to update the Copyright Act, does not achieve that objective. The Bloc […]
Canada must modernize its copyright legislation, now
The following is an edited excerpt from Liberal MP Marc Garneau’s speech on second reading of Bill C-32, the Modernization Copyright Bill, in the House on Nov. 2. P ARLIAMENT HILL—No other proposed legislation [Canada’s proposed new copyright law, Bill C-32] has occupied my time as the industry critic for my party as much as […]
Newspapers in midst of critical experimentation, innovation as digital news changes landscape
The Canadian newspaper business is in the midst of a critical time of experimentation and innovation to adapt to challenges sparked by an increasingly digital world, say industry players and observers. By the end of this era, there may no longer be a standard way of publishing a newspaper, and only the strongest players will […]
Paul Martin, architect of social inequality? Yes, says MP Davies
VANCOUVER EAST, B.C.–The same day Paul Martin became leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and the next Prime Minister, I held a townhall meeting in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside in my riding of Vancouver East to discuss the looming impacts of some very nasty welfare cuts in B.C. Paul Martin was very much on our […]
Canadian taxpayers deserve fair and honest EI program
PORTAGE-LISGAR, MAN.–The new Liberal leader owes a lot to working Canadians; modest calculations put the bill up around $45-billion. As finance minister, Paul Martin kept EI premiums unnecessarily high and used the excess to create the false impression of balancing the books. In fact, 70 per cent of the so-called budgetary surplus in the past […]
Breaking ‘knowledge barrier’: the renewal of human sciences
When the first plane broke the sound barrier in 1947, scientists learned something surprising: the controls didn’t work as expected. Flying at the speed of sound required new understanding, a new approach to aerodynamic design and controls. Failure to adjust to the supersonic speed paradigm would lead to serious trouble, loss of control and potential […]
Social policy in the 21st Century
REGINA-LUMSDEN-LAKE CENTRE, SASK.–Governments must address at least two basic components. One is fiscal and the other is social. The challenge is to balance these two competing components. In this regard, the fiscal responsibilities must not be so conservative as to fail to address the social needs of our families and our communities nor should the […]
Speed up childcare funds, says HRDC Minister Stewart
Human Resources Development Minister Jane Stewart wants to speed up the distribution of the new $935-million federal childcare fund set aside last February in the federal budget. The fund, to be spent over five years to reduce the burden of working parents with young children, has been criticized as being “back-loaded” as only $25-million has […]
