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 […]
Canada’s future depends on being a leader in global digital economy, says Clement
Information and communication technologies are an important part of Canada’s knowledge economy future, but its quickly-changing nature presents policy challenges for the government, says Canada’s Industry Minister Tony Clement. “Our government recognizes that both the supply and adoption of ICTs is part of a broader knowledge economy that is important to future prosperity,” Mr. Clement […]
Copyright consultation provides blueprint for reform
OTTAWA—This past summer, Industry Minister Tony Clement and Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore successfully completed the first national public consultation on copyright policy in eight years. While there were a few inevitable hiccups, the consultation is rightly viewed as among the most inclusive, transparent, and accessible efforts in recent memory. By leveraging social media and […]
Getting it right: Tories must move from regressive to progressive copyright
OTTAWA—The recent round of copyright consultations represents the first positive step on the copyright file since the Conservatives took power. But the question that remains is: What will come of these meetings? In the four years since then-Heritage minister Bev Oda promised to deliver quick action on the copyright file, the Tories have treated the […]
Tories battle for hearts and souls of the ethnic vote
OTTAWA—There appears to be a major shift taking place in the ethnic vote, a shift towards the Conservatives. At least that’s what the last batch of public opinion polls are telling us. If that’s temporary, the Liberals can heave a sigh of relief. If it’s permanent, the Conservatives can not only celebrate, but congratulate themselves […]
Time for a Charter for minority Parliaments
We need a Charter for minority Parliaments. Surely to goodness we have to develop a way to make minority government work, whether it’s for this week, this year, or after the next election. Minority governments may well be here to stay, so we need to find a way to have Parliaments that are stable. Comes […]
Two more defining moments in diversity
Oh, how complicated this diversity web has become. Here are two very different cases that challenge the mind. Whither the Tamils? Just when you thought you had heard it all, along come the Tamils. A complicated web indeed, and now the civil law is over… or is it really over. The demonstrations in Ottawa and […]
Time for an Innovation Canada Department, a ministry of the future
TORONTO—With the prospect of a federal election either late this year or early next year, it is time for serious thought about the agenda for the next government. One of the biggest issues we face is how to build a much more innovative economy that can meet the challenges of 21st century global competition and […]
