VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 20, 2009 — The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, and the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today launched nationwide consultations to solicit Canadians' opinions on the important issue of copyright.
“Canadians are concerned with copyright and its implications in our increasingly digital environment. Our goal is to give Canadians from across the country a chance to express their views on how the government should approach the modernization of copyright laws,” said Minister Clement. “Your opinions and suggestions will help us draft new, flexible legislation so that Canada can regain its place on the cutting edge of the digital economy.”
“We all know that new technologies are changing the landscape and that Canadian copyright laws need to be updated,” said Minister Moore. “By leveraging new technologies, we are providing as many people as possible with access to our consultative process through interactive, web-based and real-time discussions. With today's launch, we are on track to introducing modern and responsive copyright legislation in the fall.”
The consultations will run until September 13, 2009, and will include a number of different avenues for Canadians to participate, including an online discussion forum as well as a submission centre for posting detailed submissions.
A number of round tables have also been planned across Canada to canvass the views of experts and organizations on the kinds of amendments needed to position Canada as a world leader in the digital economy.
Two town hall meetings will also be webcast on the consultation site, allowing Canadians in all parts of the country to participate in the conversation via the Internet.
In today's digital environment, Canadian copyright laws need to be updated to foster innovation and economic growth, and give Canadian creators and consumers the tools they need to keep Canada competitive internationally.
Visit www.copyrightconsultation.ca to find out how you can engage in the consultations.
The online consultations will end on September 13, 2009.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Laryssa Waler
A/Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
Deirdra McCracken
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable James Moore
Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788
deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
July 20, 2009
In the last decade, digital technology has evolved dramatically, changing the way that Canadians work, live and engage both locally and globally.
Copyright laws are critical to the digital economy in Canada. Canadian copyright laws need to be updated to give Canadian creators and consumers the tools they need to engage with confidence in the digital marketplace. Updated copyright laws will also help foster creativity, innovation and economic growth.
The government believes that Canadians themselves must be able to contribute if future legislation is to be a true reflection of Canada's interests. These nationwide consultations are intended to provide all Canadians with a chance to voice their opinions on what is needed to make the system work and to ensure that all perspectives are taken into account on future copyright legislation.
The consultations are a step forward in fulfilling the government's commitment to initiate an update and ensure a modern and responsive legislative framework. The goal is to articulate an approach that provides meaningful rights for creators and promotes the use of digital technology by Canadians.
To reach a maximum number of citizens in the most transparent and efficient way possible, the government has developed a dynamic consultation process combining face-to-face meetings with web-based technologies.
The consultation is composed of four complementary elements.
1. Online discussion forum
After filling out a simple registration form, participants will be able to post comments on consultation questions, reply to other comments and create their own discussion threads. Contributions will be posted, allowing participants to interact with other users.
For more information, please visit www.copyrightconsultation.ca/forum .
2. Online submission centre
Guided by key consultation questions, participants can upload their own position papers so that other people can view their work.
For more information, please visit www.copyrightconsultation.ca/submission .
3. Stakeholder round tables
Stakeholders and experts across Canada will be invited to participate in a series of round tables held across the country to discuss copyright with the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, and the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, or their parliamentary secretaries. All the round tables will be recorded and made available online for download in both official languages.
For more information, please visit www.copyrightconsultation.ca/calendar .
4. Town hall meetings
Two town hall meetings will be held (one in Montréal on July 30, and one in Toronto on August 27), hosted by the two ministers during the consultation process. Canadians will be able to participate live or over the Internet via interactive webcast. This means that Internet users can submit comments and questions in real time from their computers.
For more information, please visit www.copyrightconsultation.ca/calendar .
In order to inform the discussion, the government has compiled a selection of research, website and explanatory material on the consultation website at www.copyrightconsultation.ca/resources .
This consultation process has been designed to be as inclusive and transparent as possible. All submissions and discussions held during the consultation will be recorded and made available in a variety of formats on the website.
