Reaction from both the Liberals and NDP focus on C-32 digital lock provisions. Liberal critic Marc Garneau told CBC.ca that the bill seemed to be missing an exception that would allow people to break digital locks if it was for private, non-commercial use. Meanwhile, the NDP's Charlie Angus argued "the only rights you will get under this bill are those that U.S.-based entertainment concerns decide you get. If the technological protections override those rights, then you have no rights." Both MPs suggested that fast tracking the bill through summer hearings is not the right approach.
Liberals, NDP Both Focus on C-32 Digital Lock Provisions
June 3, 2010
Share this post
7 Comments

Law Bytes
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 248: Mark Surman on Why Canada's AI Strategy Should Prioritize Public AI Models
byMichael Geist

November 3, 2025
Michael Geist
October 27, 2025
Michael Geist
October 20, 2025
Michael Geist
October 6, 2025
Michael Geist
September 22, 2025
Michael Geist
Search Results placeholder
Recent Posts
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 248: Mark Surman on Why Canada’s AI Strategy Should Prioritize Public AI Models
We Need More Canada in the Training Data: My Appearance Before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage on AI and the Creative Sector
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 247: My Senate Appearance on the Bill That Could Lead to Canada-Wide Blocking of X, Reddit and ChatGPT
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 246: Mohamed Zohiri on the Rise and Emerging Regulation of Stablecoins
Senate Bill Would Grant Government Regulatory Power to Mandate Age Verification For Search, Social Media and AI Services Accompanied By Threat of Court Ordered Blocking of Lawful Content

Well I’m glad to see there are at least two spines in Parliment.
This is good!
Re: Marc Garneau
Allowing private non-commercial use will not criminalize the Canadian populace. This is good solid thought on his part, the sort of stuff that gets you elected:) The Conservatives really dropped the ball on this one!
Re: Charlie Angus
I love it!
Was hopeful for Angus to come out, but having the Liberals speak out on it as well gives me a bit more hope.
Marc Garneau
He seems to always be a level headed politician. Then again, I would not expect anything less from a former Astronaut. Too bad he’s not interested in leading the liberal party.
Marc Garneau hit the nail on the head. I believe the exact line in question is 29.22 1C. Could be mistaken, though.
Extend it t cover all exceptions
If you are going to limit the application of the digital lock provisions, it should apply to any activity allowed by the fair dealing exceptions.
Also, to be effective, the law must not limit the distribution of tools to remove those digital locks.
Kudos to Messrs. Garneau and Angus on these points!