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Wednesday December 06, 2006 |
In May of this year, Canadian Heritage Minister Bev Oda delivered the keynote address to the Professional Writers Association of Canada. Oda acknowledged that "that freelance writers are one of the groups most concerned with Canada’s copyright policy." While Oda's appearance at the PWAC event might be seen as evidence that she is sympathetic with the concerns of Canadian writers, action speaks louder than words. Last week, Oda released her response to a Senate report on the Canadians news media. One of the Senate recommendations dealt specifically with copyright and freelance writers:
That the Minister of Canadian Heritage examine whether there is any abuse of author's rights in the requirements imposed by universal contracts and, if so, explore amendments to the Copyright Act.
Oda's response?
appropriation arts, canadian heritage, oda, senate committee on media Slashdot, Digg, Del.icio.us, Newsfeeder, Reddit, StumbleUpon, TwitterTagsShareWednesday December 06, 2006 |
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Friday December 01, 2006 |
Canadian Heritage Minister Bev Oda and NDP Critic Charlie Angus were back sparring over fundraising yesterday during Question Period in the House of Commons. The exchange - in which Oda tries to make Angus' support the issue - went as follows:
Angus: Given the regulatory free ride the broadcasters already enjoy, why would she put the interests of the people who hold her fundraisers ahead of the needs of Canada's domestic television production sector?
Oda: Mr. Speaker, it amazes me that the critic does not understand that it is the CRTC that is having these hearings, not the Minister of Canadian Heritage. In fact, if he has a problem with legitimate fundraising, maybe he would like to return the money he received and his leader received from the artistic community.
Angus: Mr. Speaker, another swing and an ethical miss. If the heritage minister does not know the difference between receiving a donation from industry and having industry host fundraisers in her boardroom, then God help Canada's artistic sector. Let us get back to the point. She is dragging her feet on renewing the television fund. She is dragging her feet on the new media fund. She is dragging her feet on the video fund. Meanwhile, broadcasters have declared open season on Cancon. Why would she impose a television tax on viewers while doing nothing to promote domestic Canadian television content?
Oda: Mr. Speaker, obviously for that member, consistency is not important. He said that regarding fundraisers, a critic should not be receiving funds. As I just said, he himself has received funds from artists, photographers, creators and musicians. He would then support us in our movement. He would work positively on committee when it was working on broadcasting issues. In fact, instead of misleading the House and Canadians, he would recognize he has his work to do as well. angus, copyright, fundraising, oda Slashdot, Digg, Del.icio.us, Newsfeeder, Reddit, StumbleUpon, TwitterTagsShareFriday December 01, 2006 |
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Friday November 24, 2006 |
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Canadian Heritage Minister Bev Oda's fundraising activities were back in the spotlight yesterday in the House of Commons as NDP Heritage critic Charlie Angus expressed concern that Oda's fundraising activities may have played a role in the government's decision to delay the renewal of an important television development fund. Angus asked whether, in light of funding from the broadcast industry, is the delay "a case of he who pays the piper is calling her tune?" Oda responded:
Mr. Speaker, the government supports the production industry and our broadcasting industry. We understand the importance of the television fund and the role it plays. The fund is being processed in consideration. We want to ensure that the money will be used and that it provides value for the dollars.
Given that non-answer, Angus then asked Treasury Board President John Baird whether "first, the cheques for last week's cancelled fundraiser collected in cash? Second, would he give us a list of who gave those cheques so we can at least know who is helping to write the broadcast and copyright policy in our country?" angus, baird, cab, copyright, cria, fundraising, oda Slashdot, Digg, Del.icio.us, Newsfeeder, Reddit, StumbleUpon, TwitterTagsShareFriday November 24, 2006 |
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Monday November 20, 2006 |
Steven Page of the Barenaked Ladies has responded to Canadian Heritage Minister Bev Oda's Communication Director Chishom Pothier, who cited a meeting with Page as evidence that the Oda is open to meeting with all stakeholder interests. Responds Page:
We welcomed the opportunity to work with this current government on the issues of copyright and Canadian culture, but, recent news suggests to us, sadly, that our voices as Canadian artists still cannot compete with the $250-per-plate fundraisers thrown by the big media stakeholders. They speak for themselves and their shareholders, not for artists. cmcc, copyright, oda, steven page Slashdot, Digg, Del.icio.us, Newsfeeder, Reddit, StumbleUpon, TwitterTagsShareMonday November 20, 2006 |
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