Dr. Michael Geist, Canada Research Chair of Internet and E-commerce Law at the University of Ottawa, has been leading a valiant effort against the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) bill that the Conservatives and Industry Minister Jim Prentice have promised to introduce. As far as anyone can tell, the bill which will drastically alter Canadian copyright law was written after consultation with only one person - US Ambassador to Canada David Wilkins. Canadian industry, universities, students, educators, artists, content creators and consumers were not addressed, no public consultations were held, and Mr. Prentice has refused to do any interviews or answer any questions about the bill until it is introduced in Parliament.
Geist's campaign against the bill continues to gain momentum. Many Canadians are taking the time to write to and/or call their MPs to voice their opposition. The campaign has received media attention on Computerworld, City News, and Rabble. Search Engine CBC has also been following the issue closely. Console Source has created a resources page for those who wish to express their opposition to the bill and a Facebook Group dedicated to opposing the bill has been gathering about 1,000 members a day. There is also a handy YouTube video on the topic which I've included at the bottom of this post.
When he ran for office in 2006 Harper promised openness, accountability, transparency and a more democratic parliament with free votes on most issues. Instead MPs have been regularly kicked out of Harper's caucus for failing to tow the line and it has been one of the least open, honest and transparent governments in recent memory - repeatedly issuing gag orders to members of their own caucus, taking on a completely adversarial role with the press and plotting instead to create a government controlled media centre.
I certainly oppose the DMCA bill and I have no doubt that my Member of Parliament Peggy Nash will oppose it. But, I will go further than just opposing this bill. It is long past time for this government to fall.
The 'Conservative' party was supposedly formed from a union of the Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative Parties. But it was really more of a take over of the Progressive Conservative Party. Other than his pet PC Peter McKay, anyone even slighty 'progressive' is not welcome in the party regardless of how their riding association feels. is not the party of John A. McDonald or even the party of Joe Clark. This is the party of George Bush and Dick Cheney.
There are direct ties between the Conservative Party of Canada and US Conservative Groups. That is, no doubt, why the Conservative Party of Canada (Hereafter referred to as the Republican Party of Canada) have towed the American line on virtually every single issue (even where those policies have demonstrably failed), right up to the current DMCA bill.
This party has obviously failed Canada on Copyright, they have also failed on the environment, failed on Arts and Culture, failed on crime, failed on resource issues, failed on tax cuts, failed on poverty reduction, has clearly failed Canadian cities and has done virtually nothing on health care or education.
In other words (with the possible exception of the Native Land Claims issue) the Canadian Republican Party, other than being slavishly pro-American and pro-Bush has done nothing but fail Canada on any issue Canadians care about. It is past time this government came down, and the opposition parties should not allow one more single piece of legislation on any issue to go through.
If Mr. Dion does not feel comfortable, given the Harper Governments track record, in having an election then he is truly not Prime Ministerial material and needs to step down as liberal leader. The same, in principle, goes for Mr. Layton and Mr. Duceppe. Voting with the Canadian Republican Party at this point is not a vote to forestal an election, it is a vote against Canada.
/Rant
Here's that video I promised.
No comments:
Post a Comment