p2pnet - rss feed: Net neutrality, copyright, election issues: Charlie Angus
p2pnet news view Freedom | P2P | Politics:- Canada is about to go through another election with Stephen Harper’s corporate-friendly Conservative government looking for a lease extension.
Harper heads up a minority government with the federal Liberals and New Democratic Party of Canada in opposition to keep him in check.
He’s praying that, with little to choose between his government and the Liberals, he’ll be returned to office, this time with a majority.
It’ll be seriously bad news if either party is elected. But there is an alternative.
The NDP is the only one of the three major federal parties that’s figured out which way is up, recognizing the vital importance of the Net and cyber communities, which are a growing hour by hour and exerting more and more pressure on events on- and offline.
So it’s no surprise the NDP is also the only party to have named a spokesman specifically to address digital issues.
Here, digital culture spokesman Charlie Angus lays it on the line in an exclusive p2pnet editorial »»»
Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he was forced to call an election because the opposition parties wouldn’t give him a free pass on his upcoming agenda. Funny thing was, Steve hasn’t told anybody what his agenda is. But it doesn’t take a political scientist to know exactly where this right wing crew is going – more war, more oil sands production, and a whole lot less government programs that benefit average people.
What does this mean for the digital innovation community? Plenty. And none of it will be good — that is, of course, unless average citizens work together to change the “agenda”.
And this election gives us a real opportunity to put issues like Net Neutrality and reasonable copyright on the election agenda.
‘Dubious record on digital innovation’
First, let’s look at what we’re up against.
On the eve of the federal election, Harper made the decision to kill the celebrated New Media Fund. The $14.5 million program had been established to move Canadian arts into the digital realm and ensure a strong Canadian cultural voice on the internet medium.
All summer the Conservatives have been hacking their way through various arts and cultural programs. Some say, this pre-emptive war on the arts was a way of reassuring the hard right wing base of this Conservative government that the government hasn’t gone “soft”.
Seen from another angle, however, the slashing of the New Media fund speaks to the fact that this is government is deeply suspicious of anyone who has the means to speak outside the narrow message box created by the pointy-heads in the Conservative war room. And this is where the Conservatives’ dubious record on digital innovation becomes very disturbing.
Conservative Senator Marjorie LeBreton summed up this flat-earth mentality succinctly when speaking in the Senate: “Honourable senators, I have been asked about Facebook before. I never look at Facebook because I do not understand the technology. I think the concept is dangerous.”It’s a bizarre confession to make but it does give a fairly chilling view into a party that simply doesn’t like average folk being able to network, exchange information and create virtual communities – without having to pay a major corporation for such rights.
Which is why, anyone interested in the future development of the digital “Commons” in Canada needs to be concerned about the potential for a Conservative victory.
‘Do some campaigning to get rid of these guys’
Under Stephen Harper, Canadians are being force-fed US-style copyright legislation. His “law and order” agenda is right onside with the secret ACTA negotiations. And his laissez-faire approach to the Telecom giants will do nothing to protect any vestiges of Net “neutrality” in Canada.
This election will be crucial for the future of digital innovation in Canada. So folks, its time to move beyond click and point and get out there and do some campaigning to get rid of these guys.
As the Digital Spokesperson for the New Democratic Party I’ll take the risk of seeming “partisan” by stating the New Democrats have been the only party to consistently and forcefully speak out on issues of copyright, digital rights and Net Neutrality. In fact, we’re the only party with a designated point person for digital issues.
We’ve brought forward anti-Net throttling legislation. We’ve consistently spoken out against DMCA-style copyright legislation. We’ve worked with artists, educators and innovators on the need to find a reasonable consensus between fair use and ensuring that artists (as opposed to corporate lawyers) benefit from copyright. As well, this summer, we led the fight against the Telecom giants who are gouging consumers with text messaging fees and onerous contracts for I-phones.
‘We’ll bring forward Net Neutrality legislation’
In the next Parliament, we have the opportunity to move Canada back on track in terms of digital and cultural development. We’ll throw out the regressive Bill C-61 copyright legislation and bring in legislation that will protect the privacy of consumers, while ensuring artists are able to receive compensation for their work.
We’ll bring forward Net Neutrality legislation to ensure the Telecom giants can’t “throttle” your use of the internet.
We’ll support innovation in the growing digital realm.
We’ll also make sure that Telecom giants aren’t given a free reign to gouge you on your cell phones or force you into onerous, long-term phone contracts.
But to succeed, we will need more MPs in the House who understand the importance of these issues.
There are key urban ridings across Canada where the issue of copyright and Net Neutrality could spell the difference in winning or losing the riding. This provides a unique opportunity to the arts, education and innovation community to get active and organized. The Conservative party needs to know that the digital community will push back against their corporate agenda.
As well, the Liberal party needs to feel the heat so they won’t continue sitting on the fence while these key issues are being decided. Above all, it will be vital to elect representatives who understand the importance of digital culture and issues.
Key battlegrounds
I’m going to highlight some key battlegrounds for digital activists to consider:
Peggy Nash – Parkdale High Park. Her election victory in 2006 over Sam Bulte, has been seen as the first grassroots backlash against the industry lobbyists. These issues will be playing out again in the 2008 election.
Bill Siksay – Burnaby Douglas. Bill has spoken out consistently against Bill C-61 and co-sponsored the NDP’s Net Neutrality Bill.
Michael Byers – Vanouver Centre. The famous author has spoken eloquently on copyright issues and is facing off against copyright luddite Heddy Fry.
Tom King – Guelph. The well-known artist and radio personality has written on the need to make copyright and digital issues a factor in the House of Commons.
Anne Legacé Dowson – Westmount. Anne has received the personal endorsement of Cory Doctorow from Boing. Boing – it doesn’t get any cooler than that.
Needless to say, this election will be a crucial time for Canada.
Once the cards are redistributed in the next Parliament it could be possible to move ahead with legislation that will embrace digital legislation rather than trying to make it illegal.
Stay tuned.
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September 4th, 2008 at 10:42 am
The biggest challenge facing Canadians is getting the knowledge out to the people.
How do us onliners get the word out when there is a lamescream media campaign countering us?
How how how???
September 4th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Those Stephen Harper advertisements keep playing repeatedly on television and are starting to get on my nerves. It’s just a bunch of hired actors saying how Harper is a family man, a good guy and is on the right track. In other words no useful information at all as to what the Conservatives plans are. It appears for that you need to go online and clearly this is a good thing. Haven’t seen an ad from any of the other parties yet. Anyways, just wanted to mention that I plan to send this article to everyone I know.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:47 am
^good idea
TO FACEBOOK!>>>>>>
September 4th, 2008 at 10:59 am
“just wanted to mention that I plan to send this article to everyone I know.”
Me too. And facebook is good.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:30 am
EXCELLENT READ!
I think the NDP needs to put out some TV commercials like what Harper is doing.
Show that elementry school on contaminated land that Harper is ignoring and the NDP has been trying to have fixed.
Show what rights (privacy & digital) are being erroded.
Show how the CON’s are in the US’s pockets.
Show how the CON’s are bringing draconian US-style law to Canada
Show how the CON’s only speak for big business and for telecom.
Show what needs to be shown.
Jon/Charlie, EXCELLENT read. I look forward to seeing more. PLEASE keep it coming for your online followers and readers. We would NEVER see something like this in the newspapers.
We need more like Mr. Angus out there. Someone who isn’t scared by facebook.
TWO THUMBS UP to both of you.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Just once, I’d like to see an election come and go without the use of negative campaigning.
Nowadays, all the money is spent on creating materials promoting nothing more than childish finger-pointing, back-stabbing, and baseless fear-mongering. Such productions should be nothing more than illegal, as they don’t serve to inform the public on a party’s intended agenda. They don’t even touch on publicly-polled issues and concerns. And, they’re doing it on OUR dime!
Just once, can’t these people put out something resembling an intelligent, informative display, confident that their own party’s message demonstrates their ability to run the country, based on the merits of its own platform?!
Just once, could these people refrain from insulting the intelligence of the Canadian public?!
September 4th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
There won’t be time,
An election is being called this Sunday and harper wants the votes in on the 14th of Oct.
This leaves zero time for campagin mobilization and to keep the other parties off balance.
September 4th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
^^^^^ One month is NOT zero time.
But we must hurry up.
September 4th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
This is what fex bux means - Election call expected Sunday http://www.insidetoronto.ca/News/Etobicoke/article/55157
September 4th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
It seems, if our concerns for digital rights and net neutrality are important enough, we’re faced with a choice…
Vote NDP (regardless of what the rest of their platform means to any of us), or vote either Conservative or Liberal and watch Canada’s digital world fall into the corporate toilet.
September 4th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
@Devil’s Advocate
Let me first just say how much of a fan I am of Charlie Angus, and how he has been able to convince the rest of his current caucus to follow his lead. I’m also excited by the possibility of seeing Michael Byers (NDP candidate for Vancouver Center), Anne Lagacé Dowson (NDP candidate in Westmount-Ville-Marie) and Tom King ( Tom King, NDP candidate for Guelph) added to parliament from everything I have read from them (including interviews I did with them) on digital issues.
But lets be honest — the NDP aren’t going to form the next federal government. We need to scrutinize every candidate seeking election in every riding. Please join your local Fair Copyright for Canada chapter or related groups as soon as possible. I know there will be activities in some of the major urban centres, and we can all coordinate across-Canada. Find others in your riding, and if there isn’t already a local group in your riding then form one. We need to make sure that as many of the 308 ridings are covered as possible!
I’ve posted some information on http://digitalcopyright.ca for each riding. If you have met candidates/etc, please let me know so I (or you) can post about it!
September 4th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
@ Russell and Devil’s Advocate:
I know exactly what both of you mean and I have to confess to harbouring similar thoughts. But then, I said to myself, what if a majority of Canadians feel as I do about the LibCons or ConLibs? What if most of us believe it really is time for major change?
I have to admit until now, I haven’t voted thinking, What’s the point? But this time, I will vote, and I’ll be putting my bets on the NDP.
It’d be pretty exciting, and pretty interesting, if the LibCons or ConLibs end up in opposition with Jack Layton in charge and Charlie Angus handling digital issues, and with the Green Party steadily gaining strength.
You say, “But lets be honest — the NDP aren’t going to form the next federal government.”
But, they could do exactly that if enough Canadians who’ve had it up to there with same old same old get behind them.
Cheers!
September 4th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
I agree. The NDP could not do any more damage than the Cons or Libs and they might even do better.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
People… for those who don’t bother voting…
GET OFF YOUR ASSES THIS YEAR!
Do what you think is right for the little guy. us.
Or lose what you are taking for grantit and bitching about.
In the end ITS WHAT YOU VOTE.
Charlie and neutrality needs you! Vote for whats right as an average jane/joe doe.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
laff I bet jon gets an email from elections canada telling him to ceist and desists.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
charlie, the bloc québécois do help keeping the conservatives in check….
September 5th, 2008 at 4:46 am
With the liberals useless as opposition, especially for net neutrality, and decimated because they have no leader, it is extremely important to ensure that Reform is given no more than a minority government, and that the balance of power is given to the NDP and Bloc with the Liberals not having any power.
The Liberals have shown their willingness to drop their reponsability as official opposition for their own sake, at the expense of the country’s democracy. They must not continue to be the official opposition until they get their act together.
September 5th, 2008 at 7:58 am
Hi all:
If any of you guys are on slashdot, or you know someone who is, I’ve just submited an item on Charlie’s editorial. Please help and try and vote it up so more people see it.
http://slashdot.org/firehose.pl?op=view&id=1148675
Cheers! And thanks …
Jon
September 5th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
@Russell
Thanks for that, but I’ve already done that!
(I’m sure I’ve “joined ‘em all” over these issues.)
@Jon & Russell
I, too, am quite impressed with Charlie, and I’m greatly relieved to see someone like him still exists and is in our government circles doing what he can for us. I’m all behind him.
Whether or not the NDP actually stand a chance of victory or not, I’m convinced it’s time to start supporting them, and transferring some numbers away from those who continue to demonstrate we’re not included in their plans. When I think about it, should they actually win, what possible harm could come from an NDP government.
In times like this, I even find myself wondering what it would be like if the Action Party were strong enough to run federally. I don’t think Connie Fogal would be a bad thing for this country either, as her whole agenda revolves around exposure of some really bad and secret movements within the North American governments. Movements that threaten our very privacy, consumer power, and our constitutions themselves. [Yeah, yeah, I know, she’s resigned
]
September 18th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Russell says “We need to scrutinize every candidate seeking election in every riding.”
Russell you are right.
Here is a wikipedia link that shows every riding - it shows what the results were for every party in every election year.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Canadian_federal_electoral_districts#Ontario_.E2.80.94_106_seats
And if you feel like your vote may get wasted, try using the Vote Swap.
Jon’s story about the Vote Swap:
http://www.p2pnet.net/story/17054
Link to Vote Swap Group on Facebook:
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=25808609138&ref=ts
September 25th, 2008 at 9:35 am
del maestro wants a rail road
go look at peterborough street of aylmer and perry street
the sewers have been ripped up and exposed all summer
we have poor and bad tasting water
we have tons a people that need better health care my last stop took 6 hrs and i ddint even get seen by a doctor.
He shuold invest in some ethanol for LOCAL farmers to lower there oil/gas needs that would in fact cheapen the food prices
if farmers dont have to pay the going rate for oil costs then we can invest in more fields and more food products and
thngs get better locally.
he should be investing in a way to get more solar arrays onto peoples homes in peterborough
he should be doing a lot more then building a rail road so he can sell more toyota cars
( the guys a car salesman after all)
and how about nationalizing oil ever country that has done it of late seems to be doing awfully fine
and cudos to layton for thinking of recinding that 5 billion we are owed 4 bill we got harper plan
nothing like doing business with people that can’t keep there word.
nafta ya lets renegotiate , we hardly have a car auto industry left so what can you threaten us with.
YOU need our OIL
YOU need our trees
YOU need our food
YOU need our uranium
YOU need other resources we have
we need the cash
and you dont want to pay we will take business elsewhere
September 26th, 2008 at 10:47 am
“Honourable senators, I have been asked about Facebook before. I never look at Facebook because I do not understand the technology. I think the concept is dangerous.”
This statement tells me that we have a nostalgic government that longs for the days of their youth when the greatest technological achievement in the world was a ball-point pen. Clearly this government wants to stifle creativity and ingenuity by efffectively making everything that they don’t know how to use either illegal or so expensive that no one will want it. And what was that secret bill they were debating where they could get your address from your isp, walk into your home and seize any electronics you own without a warrant just because they assume your doing something illegal with them. It will be the death of civil rights, both on and offline with this government. The concept of the right to virtual assembly dangerous? I’m beginning to see undertones of a canadian totalitarian regime where ideas and freedom of speech are dangerous and the dictator goes by the name of Stephen Harper.