QUESTION PERIOD — Canadian Heritage
Copyright Act Reform
March 30, 2021
Thank you for your answer, Senator Gold, but I believe that, if the Government of Canada really cares about Canadian culture, it could take a clear stand in this regard to support the distribution of Canadian books.
My second question for you is the following: The arts and culture industry has been calling for the reform of the Copyright Act for a long time. This year, more than ever, such a reform could have made a real difference for thousands of artists and all those sectors that have been hard hit by the pandemic.
Can you tell us what progress has been made on the review of the Copyright Act and what steps need to be taken before this law, which is vital for the industry, is reformed?
Thank you for your question, esteemed colleague, and for the advance notice, which enabled me to make inquiries with the government.
I was told that the government is examining the recommendations made by the industry and heritage committees during the previous Parliament in order to reform the Copyright Act. What is more, as you know, the government has undertaken targeted consultations to complete this work. The government’s ultimate goal is to create a legislative framework governing copyright that would be better for Canada, a framework in which creators and copyright owners are fairly compensated for their important contributions to Canadian culture.
