Canadian MP – Debate WIPO Before Copyright Ratification

A member of the New Democratic Party of Canada is essentially calling on the government to stay true to its own election platform. Charlie Angus is calling for debate before new Copyright legislation is tabled

One of the talking points by Maxime Bernier, the minister of Canadian Industry who took the reigns of the copyright bill, is that there’ll be room for debate on the copyright bill after it is tabled. Late last year, a group from a nearly 40,000 member strong Facebook group ‘Fair Copyright for Canada’ questioned the minister about Copyright issues. A video of the encounter was posted on YouTube shortly after:

It has been since a concern that there’ll be no debate on copyright until a bill is tabled. People and experts, including Law Professor Michael Geist worried that the bill would be tabled in such a manner so as to be not very changeable after it is tabled. An interesting deviation from their party platform published in 2006. On page 44:

-Place international treaties before Parliament for ratification.

It is likely something spotted by this particular opposition Member of Parliament. In a press release issued last night, the MP called for the governing party to put the treaty before parliament for debate before ratification. Debating the matter more before any bill is tabled might not be an idea supported by major pro-copyright lobbies considering in an interview last week, one asked why there would need to be any further consultation and demanded that ‘now is the time to act’ on the matter.

“Rubber-stamping WIPO won’t make Canada more competitive or respectful of intellectual property. WIPO was negotiated when the fax machine was considered cutting-edge technology. We need copyright legislation that will work for the 21st century. Instead we have a government that appears stuck in the 20th century.” Angus said. He further adds, “We need to spend less time worrying about the sword clanging of lobbyists and more time looking for a 21st century solution to the 21st century issues of digital innovation and culture. This government has made a commitment to debating treaties. Clearly Mr. Prentice is bound to bring this treaty to the House for a fair and open debate.”

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