Speaking Points
The Honourable Christian Paradis, PC, MP
Minister of Industry
Ottawa, Ontario
July 3, 2012
Check Against Delivery
Good afternoon.
Thank you all for joining us today.
We are here at Future Shop because, in many ways, Canadian retailers are the front line of a dynamic digital economy. This is where we come to buy the tools we need to thrive in this digital age. And Canadians are taking full advantage of the new technologies available to them.
In fact, we are among the most tech- and Internet-savvy citizens in the world. But we need to capitalize on our full potential. We need to create a strong and vibrant digital economy—one that touches every community and city across our vast country.
Few countries can benefit more from digital technologies than one as large and diverse as ours. Smart phones allow us to stay in touch with friends and family in Vancouver. Video conferencing equipment allows us to connect with business partners in St. John's. Laptops allow us to work remotely from communities across the North. Digital cameras allow us to post our products online and sell to consumers around the world.
But in this digital age, we need strong and modern laws that are adapted to these new realities. That is why we worked hard to pass the Copyright Modernization Act. We need to provide world-leading customer and user rights while giving creators the tools to protect their work and grow their businesses.
Our government struck the right balance between ensuring artists are properly and fairly compensated for their work and preventing fees that would hinder Canadians' ability to adopt cutting-edge technologies. And ensuring that balance is key to building a strong and vibrant digital economy—one where Canadian businesses and consumers alike lead the world in the use of technology.
That is why our government cannot allow a fee to be imposed on microSD memory cards.
We're talking about a new fee on BlackBerrys and smart phones, key tools Canadians use to participate in the digital economy.
This new fee would directly increase costs for consumers and would unfairly disadvantage certain products—Canadian products—against their competitors. And it would hamper growth and adoption at a crucial time in the development of Canada's digital economy.
That is why our government intends to introduce targeted regulations that will explicitly exclude microSD memory cards from a new fee that increases the cost of digital technologies.
We are committed to building a strong and vibrant digital economy—one in which both consumers and artists can thrive.
Thank you very much.
Are there any questions?
