The NDP's Charlie Angus offers Industry Minister Jim Prentice a much-needed reality check on WIPO and copyright reform.
Charlie Angus on a WIPO Reality Check
March 10, 2008
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Law Bytes
Episode 276: Information Commissioner Caroline Maynard on Canada’s Access to Information Failures and Why Access Delayed is Access Denied
byMichael Geist

June 22, 2026
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Angus’s open letter
Mr. Angus’ letter is clear, concise, and logical. Beautifully written. I wish he were the minister responsible instead of Jim Prentice.
A Touch of Sanity
Congratulations to Mr. Angus, a reasoned approach at last. I wonder if he has had any response/reply at all from the minister?
Which raises another question.
If Mr. Angus (and others) are able to analyse the problem, review the facts and come to a logical conclusion, – why can\’t the minister responsible do the same?
Perhaps there are other considerations we are not aware of – I can\’t imagine what would compel our duly elected minister to placate the commercial interests of influential industry groups rather than support the needs and wishes of the average Canadian citizen.
I guess it\’s just an unfortunate fact of life that sometimes the interests of the people have to be subordinated to the wishes of foreign trade groups
in order to keep the political process running smoothly.
A Touch of Sanity
Congratulations to Mr. Angus, a reasoned approach at last. I wonder if he has had any response/reply at all from the minister?
Which raises another question.
If Mr. Angus (and others) are able to analyse the problem, review the facts and come to a logical conclusion, – why can’t the minister responsible do the same?
Perhaps there are other considerations we are not aware of – I can’t imagine what would compel our duly elected minister to placate the commercial interests of influential industry groups rather than support the needs and wishes of the average Canadian citizen.
I guess it’s just an unfortunate fact of life that sometimes the interests of the people have to be subordinated to the wishes of foreign trade groups
in order to keep the political process running smoothly.
WELL DONE!
Amazing what great creativity has come from Timmins in recent years… a note that Shania doesn’t wish to sue her fans either!
Cutting edge?
Sensible article, but the fax machine was cutting edge over 100 years *earlier* than the establishment of WIPO. That slight error in the article just reminds me that much of what we call “cutting edge” nowadays, was actually developed a long time ago. What I’m getting at is, Intelluctual Property is usually stolen or borrowed. People looking for “protection” are actually just trying to get a leg up on some business.