Archive for April 19th, 2010

Open Government Moving in Parallel But Opposite Directions

Suzanne Legault, Canada’s Interim Information Commissioner, and Michael Mulley, a Montreal-based software programmer, may occupy different worlds, but my weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) notes that last week both placed an important spotlight on open and transparent government.

Legault is responsible for administering the Access to Information Act and last week her office warned that inadequate resources and lengthy delays were causing enormous damage to access to information rights in Canada. Legault released a 154-page report that gave below average or failing grades to the majority of the 24 government departments she reviewed. 

The implication of a broken access to information system extends to virtually every policy area.  For example, Canadian Heritage and Industry Canada typically lead on policies involving broadcasting and new media.  While Industry Canada received a solid "B" grade, handling a 93% increase in requests relatively smoothly, the first review for Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore’s department yielded an "F" grade. 

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April 19, 2010 4 comments Columns

Open Government Moving in Parallel But Opposite Directions

Appeared in the Toronto Star on April 19, 2010 as Open Government Moving in Parallel But Opposite Directions Suzanne Legault, Canada’s Interim Information Commissioner, and Michael Mulley, a Montreal-based software programmer, may occupy different worlds, but last week both placed an important spotlight on open and transparent government. Legault is […]

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April 19, 2010 Comments are Disabled Columns Archive

Canwest on Canadian Copyright Reform Plans

Canwest has a feature on the government's plans for copyright reform.  The piece confirms that a bill is coming this spring.  It also quotes an industry source as saying that plans to adopt a more liberal system have been dropped after lobbying from music, movie, and copyright collectives.

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April 19, 2010 18 comments News

SAC: Legalize File Sharing

The Songwriters Association of Canada's Eddie Schwartz has an opinion piece in the Mark News calling for the legalization of file sharing and the adoption of a new voluntary fee system.

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April 19, 2010 3 comments News