The Ottawa Citizen: Industry Minister Tony Clement announced

Copyright talks to maximize input
Opinions, suggestions of public to aid government in drafting new legislation

Vito Pilieci, The Ottawa Citizen July 22, 2009

The Ottawa Citizen: Industry Minister Tony Clement announced in Vancouver on Monday the government would begin nationwide consultations with Canadians to get feedback on copyright laws.

The first discussion was to be held that evening, another was held Tuesday evening in Calgary, and while the last-minute nature of these consultations might seem suspicious, at least one of Canada’s copyright watchdog groups says the short notice ensures that the voice of every consumer is being heard.

“This kind of approach plays to the strengths of the consumer movement around copyright,” said David Fewer, acting director of the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic at the University of Ottawa. “The copyright collectives have money and time and they can prepare glossy stuff and big studies and throw lawyers and lobbyists at this kind of stuff. But that takes time to prepare.”