The CBC reports that Howard Maker has been named the full-time head of the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services.
Latest Posts
61 Reforms to C-61, Day 47: Education Harms – Lessons Include Special Infringement Provision
The new lesson provisions are extremely limited, yet they come with an astonishing number of conditions and limitations. In fact, Bill C-61 includes a special new infringement provision specifically for lessons. Under the bill: It is an infringement of copyright for any person to do any of the following acts […]
Culture Cuts a Blow to Canadian Digitization Strategy
The Canadian cultural community has been abuzz over the past two weeks as details emerge about the government's plans to cut millions of dollars from nearly a dozen culture programs. My weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) notes that while the cuts may find support among some Canadians opposed to public funding for the arts, a closer look at the plans reveal that this has little to do with handouts to artists. Rather, the affected programs are focused on industrial policy and the creation of a digital information strategy.
61 Reforms to C-61, Day 46: Education Harms – Lesson Provisions Only Extend To Limited Exceptions
With the school year set to resume in just over a week, the 61 reforms series turns to the education concerns associated with Bill C-61. Statistics Canada confirmed last fall that the Internet is changing the face of Canadian education by altering the ways students conduct their research or participate in distance learning. This is particularly true for students from rural or small-town communities, who increasingly depend on the Internet for electronic distance learning. Many in the education community have reacted with alarm at C-61 including the Canadian Association of University Teachers, the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Canadian Federation of Students. Moreover, University executives are beginning to speak out as well – Athabasca University Vice-President of Research Rory McGreal recently published an op-ed that warned that "the proposed new Bill C-61 will have profound negative effects on researchers and educators as well as the general public."
A particular sore point is the bill's treatment of "lessons." While the provisions purport to provide the education community with new rights to faciliate distance learning, these provisions are stunningly arcane and practically worthless.
CLA Releases Copyright Advocacy Kit
The Canadian Library Association has released a copyright advocacy kit that encourages the library community to speak out on C-61. Particular concerns include the anti-circumvention provisions.
Recent Posts
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 232: What Will Canadian Digital Policy Look Like Under the New Liberal Carney Government? 
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 231: Sara Bannerman on How Canadian Political Parties Maximize Voter Data Collection and Minimize Privacy Safeguards 
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 230: Aengus Bridgman on the 2025 Federal Election, Social Media Platforms, and Misinformation 
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 229: My Digital Access Day Keynote – Assessing the Canadian Digital Policy Record 
Queen’s University Trustees Reject Divestment Efforts Emphasizing the Importance of Institutional Neutrality
