Introducing a copyright bill is kind of like swatting at a beehive with a big stick
MONTREAL—Copyright policy was forever messy. Now it’s getting messier. The last time the government conducted major changes to the Copyright Act was in 1997. About 80 different organizations lobbied the government and Parliament. Reflecting on the passage of the amending legislation, Bill C-32, and the temporary war zone it created, former Heritage minister Sheila Copps […]
Canada’s copyright regime outdated and lags behind its major trading partners
Canada’s copyright regime is outdated and needs to be brought in line with its major trading partners, which stakeholders are hoping will be accomplished through a bill the federal government has said it would bring forward no later than the spring. The main thing the bill must accomplish is implementing the World Intellectual Property Organization […]
‘There has never been a better time to live than right now’: Moore
(The following is an edited speech by Heritage Minister James Moore delivered on June 22 on copyright and digital media. It has been edited for length and style). The future is now, it is coming and it is remarkable and it is exciting. I always say that there has never been a better time to […]
Canada can capitalize on digital reality, unparalleled opportunities
Ottawa—Canada’s communications system is undergoing a period of unprecedented change as it adapts to the digital reality, and it is doing so in a time of economic uncertainty. The opportunities of the digital world are remarkable, and Canada can—and should—stand on the leading edge of the digital revolution. Our government has an approach that is […]
Canadian Copyright collectives and Copyright Board after 20 years: does the system serve its purpose?
Ottawa—This is the 20th anniversary year both of The Hill Times and also its neighbour across the Sparks Street Mall, Canada’s Copyright Board. “The Board” is a specialized quasi-judicial tribunal located at the iconic address of 56 Sparks Street in Ottawa, one floor up from the fabled USC Canada, which was founded by Dr. Lotta […]
Canadian copyright’s just three things
TORONTO—When I worked in Ottawa as a senior policy analyst, I realized that policy work is tough work. When it comes to copyright policy, perhaps impossible. But this snail-paced copyright reform need not be the case. Not only because doing nothing (or being thought of as doing nothing) is dispiriting for the very people who […]
Liberal Party auto policy plan is in neutral
The Liberals haven’t acted on an auto policy in the decade since the end of the Auto Pact. The end of the Auto Pact and signing of NAFTA created challenges for the auto industry the Liberals just didn’t anticipate or understand. Similarly, Kyoto presents new opportunities and challenges but with the right policies we can […]
It’s crunch time for Canada’s auto industry
The auto industry is one of the crown jewels of the Canadian economy. As a whole, this sector that is made up of the production of finished vehicles, parts and related services, is Canada’s biggest contributor to manufacturing Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at approximately $7.5-billion. It is also our country’s largest manufacturing employer. More than […]
National auto strategy ready in ‘next few months’
The Liberal government’s national policy on the automotive sector will be ready in the “next few months,” says new Industry Minister David Emerson. The new MP from British Columbia also said he plans to organize a fall meeting of the Canadian Automotive Partnership Council (CAPC), a relatively new group of car assemblers, parts manufacturers, and […]
A look back at the healthcare chatter, promises in TV debates
The following is an excerpt from the English-language TV leaders’ debates held in Ottawa on June 15. This specific excerpt between Prime Minister Paul Martin, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, NDP Leader Jack Layton and Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe focused on the future of Canada’s healthcare system. CTV’s Craig Oliver led the debate with a […]
