SOCAN is encouraged to learn that the Federal Government will follow-up on its intention to introduce by December 2020 new legislation on discoverability for tech giants.
New mandate letters released December 13 to the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Canadian Heritage Minister, and to the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science & Industry, confirmed that the government has tasked them to introduce legislation that will take appropriate actions ensuring all content providers, including internet giants, offer significant levels of Canadian content in their catalogues, add to the creation of Canadian content, promote this content and make it easily accessible on their respective platforms.
These mandate letters also charged both ministers to modernize the Broadcasting Act and the Telecommunications Act, exploring how best to support Canadian content in English and French while ensuring quality and affordable internet, mobile and media access. It also asked them to review the Copyright Act, which among other things should ensure that private copying levies are payable on both blank audio recording media such as CDs and devices such as smart phones and tablets.
“SOCAN has long advocated that the Copyright Act and other regulatory measures should be amended to make sure music creators receive fair compensation for their work,” said Eric Baptiste, CEO of SOCAN. “And while we recognize and understand the current political landscape in Ottawa, we nevertheless sincerely hope all parties will work together to support new legislation designed to strengthen copyright and cultural industry protection in Canada and also increase and promote Canadian Content.”
Meeting the December 2020 target is imperative and doing so will require immediate action by the federal government and all stakeholders. SOCAN is at the ready and pledges to continue to collaborate with all interested parties to find more ways to support creators across Canada.