Did you know that if you write to your MP they write back?

Dear Adam Dunn:

On behalf of Liberal Leader Bob Rae, I would like to acknowledge receipt of your recent email regarding Bill C-11, the Copyright Modernization Act.

There is no question that Canada’s Copyright regime needs to be modernized. The Liberal Party believes that Canada needs to implement fair and balanced copyright rules. We must modernize our copyright laws to protect the works of our Canadian artistic creators and reach a balance with the needs of consumers.

We believe that Canadian consumers who have legitimately purchased CDs, DVDs or some other product should also have the ability to transfer this legally owned material onto a new format such as an iPod or make a personal backup copy on their computer, so long as they are not doing so for the purposes of sale or transfer to others.

Widespread consultations were held last year and yet the re-introduction of the Copyright Modernization Act makes a mockery of them and is more evidence that Harper Conservatives continue to ignore evidence in favour of their own narrow, ideological beliefs.

Recent disclosures of diplomatic cables show that parts of the Conservative copyright plan were drafted to satisfy industry in the United States rather than the best interests of Canadians. In particular, the digital lock provisions, which so many Canadians oppose, appear to be driven completely by U.S interests.

It appears that Stephen Harper is prepared to use his majority to push this legislation through without any changes. Canadians celebrate the works of our artists but will be deeply disappointed if the Conservatives ram through unbalanced, unCanadian legislation that strips them of their rights as users of copyright.

Thank you for taking the time to write.

Yours sincerely,
Colin McKone
Office of the Liberal Leader