Debate On Bill C-11 Begins Today
October 18, 2011
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Law Bytes
Episode 278: Ben Waldman on Gander Social and the Challenges of Building a Sovereign Social Network
byMichael Geist

August 10, 2026
Michael Geist
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The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 278: Ben Waldman on Gander Social and the Challenges of Building a Sovereign Social Network

BULL
Dear Donald
Thank you for writing to me with your concerns about Bill C-11.
Bill C-11 was introduced with little or no changes to it since its original introduction in the last session of Parliament as Bill C-32. At that time our government conducted extensive consultations with not only industry stakeholders but with Canadians across the country so that we could present a Bill that balanced both the rights of creators and the needs of Canadians in a digital age. From those consultations Bill C-11, formerly C-32 was created and it is our government’s belief that Bill C-11 will bring Canada in line with international standards and promote home-grown innovation and creativity. It is a fair, balanced, and common-sense approach, respecting both the rights of creators and the interests of consumers in a modern marketplace. There are many current examples of unprotected music being sold legitimately by retailers, and Bill C-11 strikes a fair balance between duplication of unprotected digital material and prohibiting the circumvention of locks should they be present.
By modernizing the Copyright Act, the Government of Canada is working to secure Canada’s place in the digital economy and to promote a more prosperous and competitive Canada.
For further information, please visit the website http://www.balancedcopyright.gc.ca.
Should you have any other questions or concerns please feel free to contact my constituency office at 905-886-9911.
Sincerely,
Hon. Peter Kent, PC, MP – Thornhill
Fun & Games
It’s all fun and games until industry realizes they can import content and exploit digital locks in a collusive way and screw the public. It’s hard for market forces to function without competition. There’s nothing to prevent or protect consumers under these circumstances. We’ve seen the regulatory incompetence of the CRTC when it comes to telecom companies…could content publishers be the next racket in Canada?
Industry enablement comes on the backs of the poor and the public….always.