[d at DCC] New Federal Hansard Search option: Copyright not hot topic the last year in parliament, but our petitions are 1/4.

[Russell McOrmond]

   I often go to the "Debates" homepage for the federal House of Commons 
at: 
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/housechamberbusiness/ChamberSittings.aspx?View=H&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=39&Ses=1

   I recently noticed that there is a "Search and browse the Debates by 
subject" option.

   If I key in "copyright"  there are currently only 8 results for this 
parliamentary session in the house, in sorted by date: (Note: there are 
more hits if you include committees).

http://www2.parl.gc.ca/housechamberbusiness/ChamberPublicationIndexSearch.aspx?retKeyword=copyright

Here they are in chronological order:

(2006/4/11) Hon. Mauril Bélanger (Ottawa—Vanier, Lib.):
   - As the Liberal Heritage Critic he was "inviting" the government to 
table a copyright act.  He also claimed that, "the act must reflect our 
international commitments under the international conventions our 
country has ratified." which the current act already does (IE: Canada 
has not ratified the controversial 1996 WIPO treaties, nor should we). 
While there have been constituents who have spoken with him, he has not 
yet been willing to meet with me on this issue.  I was previously a 
constituent, and I've gone so far as to have my MP forward him a letter 
on my behalf requesting a meeting.

(2006/4/24) Mr. Maka Kotto (Saint-Lambert, BQ):
   - talks about International Book and Copyright Day, and the need for 
Canada Council funding.  Mr. Kotto is the Bloc's Heritage Critic.

(2006/4/25) Mr. James Rajotte (Edmonton—Leduc, CPC):
   - Tables the first batch of our petitions in the new parliament.  We 
already received the government "reply" to this batch.

(2006/4/26) Mr. Maka Kotto (Saint-Lambert, BQ):
   - acknowledges World Intellectual Property Day.

(2006/9/20) Mr. Maka Kotto (Saint-Lambert, BQ):
   - suggests "Copyright Act has been obsolete for ten years.".  I 
agree, but I've come to learn that I disagree with Mr. Kotto as to what 
policy direction would modernize the act rather than moving backwards in 
time.

(2006/10/20) Hon. John McCallum (Markham—Unionville, Lib.):
   - Search engine seemed to have guessed wrong that any talk about Bill 
C-36 was talk about the copyright act.  Not a good assumption given each 
government starts their bills at C-1.

(2006/11/2) Mr. Charlie Angus (Timmins—James Bay, NDP):
   - tabling a batch of our petitions.

(2006/11/9) Mr. Charlie Angus (Timmins—James Bay, NDP):
   - Talking about the fundraising sources for the Minister of Canadian 
Heritage, and how she seems to be getting a lot of money from 
intermediary industry groups and not listening to actual creators.



   It is expected that parliament will adjourn until Jan. 29 later 
today.  This means that it is unlikely anything more will be said about 
copyright this year (although, I will look).

   It may be that the Conservatives recognize how controversial and 
contentious copyright is and want to try to delay it as much as 
possible, after a future election if they can manage it.  Things are 
only delayed, as committee meetings as recent as November 7 have the 
Industry Minister stating an intention to table a copyright bill as soon 
as they can.


   The longer things are delayed, the better for us as it provides more 
opportunity to educate MPs on the issues.   This needs everyones help to 
try to reach their MPs.  We need to remain engaged, and not get complacent.


   One way we have been reaching MPs is through our petitions.  You will 
notice that 2 of the 7 mentions of copyright in the house are in 
relation to our petition.  We are in close contact with Mr. Angus, who 
as an independent creator himself understands our issues well.  MPs hear 
(or read in Hansard or the indexes) about our position on the issue, and 
the MPs tabling them are able to read what we have written quite closely 
before tabling.

    We need to reach the other two opposition critics for Heritage, who 
are also the vice-chairs of Heritage Committee, so that they are more 
aware of the wider issues and constituencies.  While I will continue to 
work on meeting with Mr. Bélanger (different riding, but same city), it 
will require a strong French speaking person from Québéc in order to 
reach Mr. Kotto.

Map of the riding of Saint-Lambert (Quebec):
http://www.elections.ca/scripts/pss/Map.aspx?L=E&ED=24065&EV=99&EV_TYPE=6&PC=&Prov=BC&MapID=&QID=-1&PageID=13


   The following are the most critical members to reach, who will likely 
form the committee to study any bill tabled.  Mr. Angus (Heritage cmtee) 
and Mr. Rajotte (Chair of Industry cmtee) have tabled petitions and are 
thus aware of us:

Members of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage (CHPC)
http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/cmte/CommitteeList.aspx?Lang=1&PARLSES=391&JNT=0&SELID=e18_&COM=10467

Members of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (INDU)
http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/cmte/CommitteeList.aspx?Lang=1&PARLSES=391&JNT=0&SELID=e18_&COM=10476


Note: Art Hanger, who has the batch of Calgary-area signatures to be 
tabled in the new year, is an Associate member of Heritage and Industry 
committees.

Thanks.

-- 
  Russell McOrmond, Internet Consultant: <http://www.flora.ca/>
  Please help us tell the Canadian Parliament to protect our property
  rights as owners of Information Technology. Sign the petition!
  http://www.digital-copyright.ca/petition/ict/

  "The government, lobbied by legacy copyright holders and hardware
   manufacturers, can pry my camcorder, computer, home theatre, or
   portable media player from my cold dead hands!"