Moore would like to see C-32 at legislative committee by November

Heritage Minister James Moore would like to see copyright reform Bill C-32 debated, voted at second reading and referred to committee before November, he told The Wire Report Wednesday at a Canada Media Fund (CMF) event in Ottawa. But he added: “I would like to have seen it at committee yesterday.” The real work on the bill will take place at committee, where the parties are expected to propose amendments after hearing from witnesses. Moore affirmed that the bill will be sent to a special legislative committee this fall after it is debated and voted on at second reading. “I’m hopeful that Bill C-32 can be passed in Parliament,” he said, despite the chance that an election could interrupt the process. According to the rules of the House, the legislative committee will be struck as soon as second reading debate begins on C-32—but the government must first bring the bill forward for debate. House Speaker Peter Milliken will select the chair of the committee to ensure “a neutral arbitrator of the proceedings,” House procedure says. Milliken can appoint an official of the House to chair the committee, such as one of the deputy speakers or the deputy chair of committees of the whole. Or, he can hand-pick an MP from the “panel of chairs” in consultation with the party whips. Although the digital economy strategy is emerging as a big-ticket item for the government, Moore cautioned that there are other priorities on the agenda such as the economy and justice reforms. Moore said he has not heard any “declared opposition” to the bill from the opposition parties except for a proposal to create a levy on digital media players to compensate artists—a proposal to which the government is steadfastly opposed, calling it a “tax” on iPods. Moore noted that bill includes a mandatory review every five years, and said he is encouraging his colleagues in the House to get the bill passed to address the main Canadian copyright issues ahead—including ratification of the Internet treaties of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). “With the whole dynamic of digital media, it’s impossible to gauge a year from now, let alone five, where it’s going. What I say to my opposition colleagues, ‘Let’s get done the obvious things that need to get done: the ratification of WIPO, making sure that piracy is illegal in Canada,’” Moore said. Although the government of Canada has previously sent signals that it would ratify the WIPO treaties, industry insiders say they would expect that Canada’s decision to ratify the treaties--as opposed to implementing them--would be a separate policy discussion. Moore’s spokesman Jean-Luc Benoit told The Wire Report by email that the minister only intended to point out that the passage of C-32 would allow the government to move forward with ratification if it chose to. When asked about potential delays and further study if the bill gets to the Senate, Moore said the government conducted “unprecedented consultations” before introducing the bill, adding that, “In my mind, that box has been checked.” sdoyle@thewirereport.ca

Moore would like to see C-32 at legislative committee by November

Broadcast | October 1, 2010

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