Copyright, digital privacy rights, expected to be top issues at house committees

Copyright reform legislation and digital privacy rights are expected to be major topics for the newly struck House of Commons industry and heritage committees, committee members say. The House of Commons established parliamentary committees last week, but the June start of the 41st Parliament offered too little time to accomplish anything before summer break. On digital issues, MPs agree that the Conservative government's copyright reform legislation, Bill C-32, will be reintroduced quickly in the fall. “We’re definitely looking at a re-introduction of Bill C-32. Charlie Angus is spearheading our work on that,” NDP MP and heritage critic Tyrone Benskin said in an interview. “We’re looking for a bill that really makes sure creators are covered, protected and remunerated.” Following the federal election this spring, the newly elected Conservative government said in its throne speech that it will “seek swift passage of copyright legislation.” It's not clear whether the government again intends to send the bill to a legislative committee. Sending it to a standing committee such as heritage or industry could indicate an intention to hear from fewer witnesses and pass the bill more quickly. Conservative MP Mike Lake, the parliamentary secretary to the industry minister, would only say that, “As is the normal process, this bill will be assigned to a committee upon its introduction.” Responding to questions by email, he wrote that “we intend to introduce and swiftly pass copyright legislation that balances the needs of creators and users.” Liberal MP and heritage critic Scott Simms said in an interview that he also anticipates the copyright bill to come back quickly, and that Bill C-32 may be reintroduced sooner than expected due to pressure to enter into the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and be “compliant internationally.” “I think it’s going to be brought back very soon,” Simms said. “For both Industry and Heritage, and for both and James Moore, I think this copyright , and to get it done, is their main priority right now.” But that won't happen until the fall. The House of Commons was expected to adjourn for the summer on Thursday following proceedings on the government's back-to-work legislation for Canada Post workers. MPs agree that digital policy issues are likely to be a top issue the 41st Parliament. Benskin, as well as MP Charlie Angus, the party critic for digital policy issues and access to information, privacy and ethics, said they are concerned about digital privacy rights. Both of them said the Conservative government’s lawful access legislation—to be included in its omnibus crime bill—should be addressed at the heritage committee. “It’s something we are looking at,” Benskin said. “The more digital we get, the harder it is to keep information private and protect the information of individuals and individual users. So that’s something we’ll definitely be exploring for the next little while.” The new Parliament has ushered in new ministers, new opposition critics, and last week, new committee members. Conservative MP Rob Moore was elected chair of the Commons heritage committee on June 21. Angus will also share the role of vice-chair on the committee with Simms. The heritage committee has also welcomed as members Conservative MPs Gordon Brown, Paul Calandra (the parliamentary secretary to the heritage minister), Jim Hillyer, Parm Gill, Terence Young and the returning Scott Armstrong, as well as NDP MPs Benskin, Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet and Pierre Nantel. Several former heritage committee members were defeated in the spring federal election, including Liberals Pablo Rodriguez and Bonnie Crombie, and Bloc Québécois members Carole Lavallée and Roger Pomerleau. Conservative MP and former heritage committee chair Michael Chong was re-elected but will not return to the committee, along with fellow Tories Dean Del Mastro (the former parliamentary secretary for heritage), Blake Richards, Patrick Brown and Royal Galipeau. The heritage committee clerk has also changed, with Christine Holke David replacing Graeme Truelove. At the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, Conservative MP David Sweet will return as chair. Sweet served as committee chair for the 40th Parliament prior to its dissolution in March. “The fact that he was supported by all members of the committee to continue in this role shows that his good work in the last Parliament has earned him the respect of all parties,” Lake said by email. NDP MP Brian Masse and Liberal MP Geoff Regan will share the role of the industry committee vice-chairs. New to the industry committee will be Conservative MPs Rob Anders, Cheryl Gallant, John Carmichael and Phil Coleman, as well as NDP MPs Hélène LeBlanc, Peter Julian and Glenn Thibeault. Conservative MPs Peter Braid and Mike Lake will return as members, and Jean Michel Roy will return as clerk. Former members who will not return to the industry committee are Tories Bernard Généreux, Dave Van Kesteren and Mike Wallace, Liberals Anthony Rota and Marc Garneau, and former Bloc Québécois MP Serge Cardin. At the Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communications, Liberal Senator Dennis Dawson will remain as chair. Conservative Senator Stephen Greene has replaced deputy chair and Conservative Senator Leo Housakos. New members of the committee include Conservative Senators Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu, Nicole Eaton, Yonah Martin and Josée Verner. dgrenier@thewirereport.ca

Copyright, digital privacy rights, expected to be top issues at house committees

Broadcast | June 23, 2011

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