This could very well be another case where other political issues having an interesting effect on technology.
There was some political wrangling happening in the background over the Summer between the two largest political parties. Some suggest that it was that political wrangling that created the most recent surveillance legislation to date.
While the surveillance legislation made some waves, the issue never really moved much outside of a few of its biggest fans doing a little cheer leading every so often in Parliament. Since nothing really became of the issue, it seemed to stay on the back burner in spite of it being a major issue for Canadians who are well aware of their rights.
Now, it seems the current governing party is signalling that it would prorogue parliament. The government says that it’s just to tackle some economic issues while the opposition suggests its to run away from the issues of torture swirling the political landscape. On the surface, it seems like something that wouldn’t affect any technology related issues at all.
Those who think this won’t have any effect on issues we’re concerned about may be surprised then. While proroguing parliament can be seen as a political time out, it also has an interesting effect on legislation currently tabled. Michael Geist points out that among the legislation that will die will be the surveillance legislation (C-46, C-47 and, by extension, C-58) and the anti-spam legislation (C-27).
For many, it could be a win some and lose some, but it does lead us to a question of the day. If you had a choice between no surveillance and no spam laws and surveillance and spam laws, which would you choose?
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It is official, Our Great Prime Minister Harper has “prorogued” parliament today, closing the doors until March 2010. All the bills that were still on the “Order Paper” DIE there permamantly. This includes bill c-27, the nonsence “anti-spam” bill that so many hardheads were trying to pass for the longest time, pouring their bleeding hearts into making it become law and it was so close to being aproved yet now it has been beautifully put to death.
This Glorious day where I among many others in the industry can yell out true Victory on those who oppose our marketing metheods and how we value the freedoms of being Canadian and operating on Canadian soil, where silly “anti-spam” or as we call it “anti-marketing” laws are non-existant and we all can operate fully within the laws of our great homeland, ensuring our freedom to mass market our products or services to the very responsive general public.
The Antis (supporters) of the anti-spam bill c-27 can certainly apply to bring back the proposed bill into Parliament, however it MUST be REINTRODUCED as a fresh NEW BILL, starting all over again from the FIRST READING. That is their right, as is my right to enjoy watching them waste all their time and energy for a second round of worthless effort playing their broken record to whoever is willing to lend an ear, while I and others like myself continue to operate within the laws of this glorious and free country.
Dude, I’d take no surveillance over no spam any day. In the last two years, I’ve had yet to find a single piece of spam make its way into my inbox.
Don’t really know how most users have that problem, still… Hasn’t taken any effort on my part for that.
Let us never forget the wonderful “Secure beneath the watchful eyes” posters from earlier in the decade, posted by the thoughtful London Metro.