Reply from Minister of Canadian Heritage. No Meeting?

The Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Honorable Bev Oda, has ignored a request for direct consultation from the Coalition of Art Professionals (Appropriation Art). The coalition includes over 600 of Canada’s most talented artists as well as influential organizations and prestigious art professionals. In her reply (link), Minister Oda states that she is working on new copyright legislation with the Minister of Industry, but does not address specific concerns brought up in the letter.

On August 10 The Coalition of Art Professionals – Appropriation Art received a dissapointing reply from Bev Oda, P.C., M.P., Minister of Canadian Heritage. Her reply fails to acknowledge the scope and size of the coalition. It does not address any of the specific points brought up in the Coalition’s letter of concern and sidesteps a direct request for consultation with the Minister of Heritage. The reply only invites members to follow proceedings through the Department of Canadian Heritage Web site (link). Given the specific request for consultation from such a large coalition, the Minister’s response is unacceptable.

In her reply the Minister indicates that the Government is committed to ensuring that copyright promotes the creation and dissemination of cultural works. The Minister states that she is working with Mr.Bernier (Honorable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry) on new copyright legislation and that Government officials will monitor developments around the world as they plan the next steps that Canada will take on copyright. The Minister also indicates that the Government is considering the concerns of all Canadians. The Department of Canadian Heritage website indicates that public consultation is undertaken on a regular basis on important issues that affect Canadians (however there are no public consultations scheduled at this time, nor any listed for the future dealing with the drafting of copyright legislation).

The manner in which this issue is handled by the current Government is of critical concern for Canadian Artists and Art Professionals across the country and will affect future art practice for years to come. Another letter reiterating a request for consultation and a meeting is now being drafted. The Appropriation Art Coalition will once again ask to be directly consulted in meetings, just as (for example) CRIA has engaged in extended meetings with Canadian Heritage (link).

Dear Coalition:

Thank you for your correspondence of June 6, 2006, co-addressed to the Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry, regarding copyright reform in Canada. I appreciate your advising me of your views and have carefully noted your comments with respect to the matter.

Please be assured that the Government of Canada is aware of the sensitive nature of the issue of access of all users, including creators, to copyright material. I will be working with Mr. Bernier on new copyright legislation for Canada. Issues on copyright reform are complex and the Government is presently considering the concerns of all Canadians as it moves forward with copyright reform.

The Government is committed to ensuring that copyright promotes both the creation and dissemination of cultural and other works. The cultural policy objective of the Copyright act is to ensure adequate protection for creators and cultural content as well as appropriate access for all Canadians to cultural works.

Government officials will continue to monitor developments around the world as they plan the next steps that Canada will take on this matter. The Government wants to ensure that the rights of Canadian creators are adequately protected by law, and that these rights are balanced with the ability of the public to access and make use of these works.

Your interest in copyright reform is appreciated. Updates and further information on the ongoing reform process are available on the Department of Canadian Heritage Web site at http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/ac-ca/progs/pda-cpb/index_e.cfm.

I trust this information is useful. Please accept my best wishes.

Yours sincerely
Bev Oda, P.C.,M.P.

c.c.: The Honourable Maxime Bernier, P.C., M.P.