Peter Kieser

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 23, 2010

NEW DEMOCRATS CALL MOORE OFFSIDE FOR ATTACKING FAIR COPYRIGHT ADVOCATES
Minister’s description of ‘radical extremists’ shows he’s in need of a time-out

TIMMINS – Speaking at a G20 Chamber of Commerce event, Heritage Minister James Moore inexplicably lashed out at those who have raised concerns with his new copyright bill, C-32. Moore characterised fair copyright advocates as “babyish” and enemies of any copyright reform whatsoever. He called them “radical extremists” who must be “confronted every step of the way until they are defeated.” New Democrat Digital Affairs Critic Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay) said Moore’s comments are reminiscent of a war-time call-to-arms and are way out of line.

“Attacking teachers, students, artists and consumers who have legitimate questions about this legislation is ridiculous,” said Angus. “Instead of understanding and appreciating the nuances of balanced copyright, the Minister appearing hyper-defensive and bombastic. I think he needs a time out.”

In his speech to the conference, Moore claimed the government’s attack on consumer rights are necessitated by Canada’s international obligations under the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaties. Angus says Moore simply has his facts wrong.

“James Moore shouldn’t hide behind international treaties to excuse the significant stumbling blocks he has put into the bill. All the experts, including those civil servants who drafted the bill, agree that it could be WIPO-compliant without his push for American-style protection for digital locks,” said Angus. “The Tories are pushing this failed agenda that will criminalize perfectly reasonable behaviour and deny educators legal access to works which they should logically have.”

Angus says Moore needs to tone down the rhetoric and get down to the serious business of working with all stakeholders on amendments that will improve the legislation.

“A Minister shouldn’t resort to name calling or start a war with fair-copyright advocates just because he doesn’t like the feedback he’s getting on Twitter,” said Angus. “If Moore spent more time listening to the educators, experts, academics and artists who have serious issues with this bill, maybe his public statements wouldn’t be so out of line with everyday Canadians who simply want balanced legislation.”

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For more information please contact:

George Soule, Caucus Press Secretary: 613-850-3448 or souleg@parl.gc.ca

Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore delivered a keynote address at a conference sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce's IP Council today and according to a media report warned against "radical extremists" seeking to oppose Bill C-32.

When Moore claims that critics of C-32 are radical extremists, who is he speaking of?  Who has criticized parts of the bill or called for reforms? A short list of those critical of the digital lock provisions in C-32 would include:

• Federal Liberals, opposition
• New Democratic Party, opposition
• Bloc, opposition
• Green Party of Canada
• Canadian Consumer Initiative
• Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
• Canadian Association of University Teachers
• Canadian Federation of Students
• Canadian Library Association
• Business Coalition for Balanced Copyright
• Retail Council of Canada
• Canadian Bookseller Association
• Documentary Organization of Canada

All opposition parties, consumers, universities, teachers, students, business, and many creator groups are all seeking changes to C-32.  Does James Moore really believe that they are all radical extremists?

Has James Moore blocked you on Twitter? James Moore has blocked Russell McOrmond and numerous other people.

Imagine a country …

• where Parliament is padlocked twice in 13 months to frustrate the democratic will of the elected majority.
• that slyly relaxes environmental regulations even as its neighbour reels from a catastrophic oil leak blamed on slack controls.
• that boasts about prudent financial management while blowing through a $13-billion surplus on the way to a $47-billion deficit.
• where a political operative puts fork-tongued words in a top general’s mouth.
• that refuses to fund the same safe abortions to poor women abroad as it provides at home.
• where the national police commissioner skews a federal election and is never forced to explain.
• that writes a covert manual on sabotaging Commons committees.
• dragging its climate change feet as the true north melts.
• that silences political debate on the sale of a publicly owned, crown jewel corporation.
• that puts higher priority on building super-prisons than keeping people out of them.
• where parties that win the most federal seats are dismissed as “losers”.
• that twists its foreign policy around the interests of another nation.
• that argues that barricading its largest city promotes tourism.
• that promises Senate reform only to continue stuffing it with political hacks.
• that avoids answers about a controversial war by accusing questioners of supporting the enemy.
• where party apparatchiks decide who in a nominally free press is allowed to ask the Prime Minister questions.
• where donut shop wisdom is more prized than expert analysis.
• that builds a fake lake for a tough-times summit.
• that preaches law and order while killing a long-gun registry police chiefs insist makes citizens safer.
• where serving the Prime Minister as chief propagandist is job preparation for running a national news network.
• where charities mute constructive criticism of public policy for fear of losing federal funding.
• that can spend $1.2 billion for summit security but can’t find the petty cash needed to invest in the status of women.
• that promises accountability only to impose secrecy.

That country is now this country.

Every example is familiar, all are documented. Only the cumulative effect is surprising.

Conservatives came to power knowing reluctant Canadians could only be shifted to the political right incrementally. That movement is now advancing according to the plan Conservative thinker, strategist and Stephen Harper mentor Tom Flanagan infuriated the Prime Minister by making public.

Imagine that.

Published in The Star as Travers: Changing Canada, one backward step at a time on Saturday June 19, 2010.

Bus/SkyTrain Monthly Passes
1 Zone $81 (was $73, $8 increase) – $96 a year
2 Zone $110 (was $99, $11 increase) – $132 a year
3 Zone $151 (was $136, $15 increase) – $180 a year

WCE 28-day Passes (13 passes a year)
Port Moody, Coquitlam Central, Port Coquitlam $178.75 (was $161, $17.75 increase) – $230.75 a year
Pitt Meadows, Maple Meadows, Port Haney $217 (was $195, $22 increase) – $286 a year
Mission $298 (was $269, $29 increase) – $377 a year

Effective April 1, 2010.

Fight against HST ramps up, via CKNW.

A citizen's initiative application to kill the incoming H-S-T has been approved by Elections BC.

The initiative petition is a legally binding petition that, if successful, will require the BC government to hold a referendum on the H-S-T, or repeal it in the legislature.

I, really hope that this initiative passes. I will most likely be part of the petitioners. I do not believe that we need a "harmonized" tax that will raise the prices of a large majority of my day to day activities.

If we had exemptions like the maritime provinces do, it would be okay. But as the HST is, it's a big giant lie in British Columbia.

Canadian gov't using lies to sell Internet wiretapping law.

Michael Geist sez, "The Canadian government has introduced Internet surveillance legislation that requires ISPs to disclose customer information without a warrant. Peter Van Loan, the Minister in charge, claims that a Vancouver kidnapping earlier this year shows the need for these powers. I did some digging and shows this to be a lie – the Vancouver police acknowledge that the case did not involve an ISP request and the suspect is now in custody."

Climate goal eased for B.C.'s public sector – The Globe and Mail.

B.C.'s Minister for Climate Action has granted the province's public sector an extra two years to meet carbon-emission targets.

I'm confused, I thought the BC Liberals were all about the environment? That's why we have the Carbon Tax, is it not? But then, I forgot it's perfectly acceptable to tax the middle class and poor, but it's not okay to tax buddies of the BC Liberals.

How can a corporation be carbon neutral? I'm sorry, but I don't buy this whole "carbon credit" scam that is going on as of late.

YouTube – Jack Layton: Party For Sale or Rent.

At least Jack Layton has a sense of humour, unlike Harper and Iggy.

Poll: 42% of Vancouver Point Grey voters would recall Campbell.

A B.C. Federation of Labour news release this morning cited a new Environics Poll showing 42 percent of voters in Vancouver Point Grey would sign a petition to recall Campbell, including a quarter of those who voted for him in May.