Michael Geist

The issue of Liberal support for an “iTax” hit a fever pitch this week with competing releases – the Liberals stating they are against it and the Conservatives releasing a radio ad that says the Liberals support such reforms.  That led some to ask for evidence to sort out the competing claims.  This post is an attempt to do that.

First, it is clear that the radio ad is factually wrong.  The Liberals now unequivocally state that they oppose an iPod levy.  The radio ad says of the Liberals, NDP, and Bloc “now they all back an iPod tax.”  There isn’t much room for interpretation here – the Liberals have stated their current policy and the Conservative ad says the opposite.

Second, even if the ad is wrong, some claim that the Liberals have flip-flopped on the issue.  For example, Stephen Taylor makes that case, pointing to their support for a motion on the private copying levy from earlier this year.  He adds that the press release says one thing, the vote another.

This position requires a more careful examination of the motion and the vote itself.  This saga begins with a motion in March at the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage stating:

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