Post Tagged with: "paradis"

Digital Economy Strategy Has Become Government’s “Penske File”

Appeared in the Toronto Star on November 27, 2011 as Digital Economy Strategy has Become Federal Government’s “Penske File” Earlier this month, Industry Minister Christian Paradis held a press conference to launch the Digital Technology Adoption Pilot Program, which will provide $80 million to small and medium sized businesses to […]

Read more ›

November 28, 2011 1 comment Columns Archive

Will Paradis Fail To Can Canadian Spam?

Last year, a Quebec court upheld the largest spam damage award in the world, ordering Adam Guerbuez, a Montreal-based email marketer, to pay Facebook $873 million dollars for sending millions of spam messages to users of the popular social network. Two months later, the Conservative government passed long overdue anti-spam legislation that finally established strict rules for electronic marketing and safeguards against the installation of unwanted software programs on personal computers, all backed by tough multi-million dollar penalties.

Then-Industry Minister Tony Clement promised that the law would “protect Canadian businesses and consumers from harmful and misleading online threats,” but nearly a year later, my op-ed in the Hill Times (homepage version) notes the law is in limbo, the victim of an intense behind-the-scenes lobbying campaign that threatens to water-down the legislation such that Guerbuez, who maintains an active online presence, has publicly thanked the lobby groups for helping to keep him in business.

The spring election delayed the introduction of draft regulations for the anti-spam legislation, but since they were posted in early summer, lobby groups have used the process as an invitation to re-open the legislation and delay any implementation for months or even years. 

Read more ›

November 28, 2011 9 comments Columns

Will Paradis Fail To Can Canadian Spam?

Appeared in the Hill Times on November 28, 2011 as Will Paradis Fail to Can Canadian Spam? Last year, a Quebec court upheld the largest spam damage award in the world, ordering Adam Guerbuez, a Montreal-based email marketer, to pay Facebook $873 million dollars for sending millions of spam messages […]

Read more ›

November 27, 2011 1 comment Columns Archive

Copyright Debate Hits the House of Commons: Opposition Won’t Support C-11 Due to Digital Locks

Copyright dominated debate at the House of Commons on Tuesday as Bill C-11 was the primary subject of debate. Digital locks was one of the most discussed issues (new levies were the other), with the main opposition parties lining up to oppose the bill due to the digital lock provisions.  For example, the NDP’s Charlie Angus stated:

Unless the digital lock provisions change, the New Democratic Party will not support the bill because it is not balanced.

Liberal Industry critic Geoff Regan stated:

the Liberal Party will not support Bill C-11. The digital lock provisions in this bill are far too strict and they override virtually every other right that is in the legislation.

Read more ›

October 20, 2011 45 comments News

Is the Digital Economy Strategy Dead?

Industry Minister Christian Paradis gave a speech today at the Wireless Canada Technology Showcase. The talk included references to forthcoming copyright reform, the reintroduction of privacy reforms (formerly Bill C-29), and plans to move forward with spectrum auctions. It also talks about the importance of the digital economy and digital […]

Read more ›

September 20, 2011 7 comments News