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Fighting for the Right to Fund Politicians

Almost lost amidst the aftermath of yesterday's election is a letter to the editor from CRIA General Counsel Richard Pfohl.  It would appear that CRIA wants to fight for more than just U.S. style copyright reform.  They also want to fight for the right to provide campaign contributions to politicians who then decide copyright policy.  Pfohl responds to an article that appeared on Sunday in the Toronto Star which said "there is, unfortunately, nothing illegal about MPs accepting money from interest groups and then becoming their advocates in Parliament."

Pfohl's response:

"Scowen's proposed political 'solution' – that organizations should be prohibited from fully participating in the democratic process by contributing to candidates – is not only anti-democratic, it's unfair. It would leave Canada's cultural associations hamstrung while file-sharing advocates are unhampered."

Of course, the limitation would not hamstring lobby groups such as CRIA but rather work to level the playing field with those seeking balanced copyright reform.  Then again, if their best arguments come in the form of a cheque, then perhaps they would be hamstrung.

2 Comments

  1. Voters only please
    Seems to me if you vae no right to vote you have no right to donate. Companies, organizations and other aggregates have no vote no matter how many voters they represent and should not be allowed to fund candidates.

    This seems to be covered in the Conservatives Federal Accountability Act. Hopefully they will be able to pass it expeditiously.

    It would be interesting to hear Michaels take on this proposal here is a link:
    http://www.conservative.ca/media/20051104-Policy-Accountability3.pdf

  2. baad
    That is no a link to the proposed legislation just conservative promises
    sorry