2011 Federal Election Questions from The Writers’ Union of Canada and Party Responses

Question Bloc Response Green Response Liberal Response NDP Response

Fair Copyright
Would your party Le Bloc Québécois The Green Party believes Bill C-32 is a Digital technology offers many new If elected, New Democrats will seek to introduce
propose a Bill to rejette l’exemption significant improvement on its opportunities, but enjoying content new copyright legislation that will ensure that
modernize copyright proposée au secteur de predecessor Bill C-61, but needs without compensating its creators Canada complies with its international treaty
that is founded on l’éducation dans la more work. We believe that the shouldn’t be among them. In this obligations (such as the WIPO Internet treaties,
creators bbeing
eing Loi sur le droit d’auteur educational exceptions disrespects spirit, a Liberal government will among others) – while balancing consumers’ and
compensated for the et est d’avis que le creators, and threatens their modernize Canada’s copyright laws creators’ rights.
use of their works? secteur de l’éducation livelihoods. The Green Party will work with technology neutral legislation
Specifically, would you devrait, dans son with the Writers' Union of Canada that balances the needs of creators By consulting widely with stakeholder groups, New
remove the overbroad essence même, and other stakeholders to sharpen and consumers. Any exception Democrats will develop legislation that is
exceptions that enseigner le respect de the definitions around "educational under fair dealings must be clearly technology-neutral, balanced and flexible enough
appeared in Bill C-
C-32 la propriété uses" so that those who create defined with a clear and strict test to ensure its adaptability to new platforms and
(such as “fair dealing intellectuelle materials are paid fairly for them. for fair use so that authors and technologies in the years to come; and address
for education”) which other creators are fairly issues like Technological Protections – TPMs, or
would result in the compensated for their work. digital locks, statutory damages, private copying
sanctioned and reproduction for private purposes, collective
expropriation of licensing, broadcast mechanical licensing and fair
writers’ property and dealing, among others.
income?
We do not support the creation of powerful anti-
How would you ensure Le Bloc Québécois The Green Party of Canada strongly A Liberal government will stand circumvention rights as contained in the
that the Copyright Act propose que des supports artists' rights to guaranteed with Canadian creators and artists government’s copyright bill – C-32, the Copyright
protects
protects creators’ redevances soient fair compensation through fair as they navigate both the Modernization Act. In fact, we believe they pose a
existing and future appliquées sur les patent and copyright laws. At the opportunities and challenges of the very real danger that consumers will be prohibited
revenue streams in a enregistreurs audio- same time, we consider the digital new digital society. During the from using content for which they have already
economy??
digital economy numériques et que les lock provision in Bill C-32 to be debate on copyright legislation in paid. We believe these new powers override not
fournisseurs de services excessively restrictive in that it will the last Parliament, it was the only consumers’ rights, but also creators’ and
Internet paient un tarif not allow students and journalists to Liberal Party that developed a artists’ rights.
compensatoire aux properly create and conduct much-praised solution to providing
sociétés de gestion de research. Just the right balance will musicians with compensation In our consultations, New Democrats will consider
la copie privée. give them this ability in a manner through a new private copying all sensible proposals to update or develop
consistent with a thriving compensation fund rather than a mechanisms to provide fair compensation for
1
 information commons, fair dealing
principles, and moral rights. We are
committed to working with with both
creators and consumers to ensure
that this balance
is found.
Fair Taxation for Artists
Would your party Oui, dès que possible. The arts and culture sector makes an
introduce a Copyright-
Copyright- Le Bloc Québécois enormous contribution to Canada's
Income Deduction for propose aussi une economy and to Canadian's well-
creators, modeled on exemption d’impôt being. The Green Party of Canada is
that used in the sur les droits de prêts committed to extending income tax
province of Quebec? If publics. relief and incentives to artists and
when??
so, when creators alike, much like the very
successful models established by
Ireland and the city of Berlin.
Moreover The Green Party is
committed to removing the GST on
arts and culture products and
services, while shifting the burden to
unworthy activities like burning fossil
fuels.
In addition, a Green Government will
work to implement reforms to the
Canada Revenue Act that reflect the
consumer levy.
A Liberal government will look to
develop similarly innovative
solutions to ensure that the
Copyright Act protects creators’
existing and future revenue
streams in a digital age.
creators. We believe that, in collaboration with
stakeholders, we can strike a balance between fair
remuneration for creators and reasonable access
for consumers.
Jack Layton and the New Democrat team value
collaboration with stakeholders and concerned
Canadians. A hallmark of our work in the House
of Commons has been our willingness to
collaborate with Members of Parliament of all
political stripes on a wide range of issues – to
bring about tangible results for Canadians. Our
approach to developing new copyright policies and
legislation will be marked by that same openness
to consider varying viewpoints and interests.
Jack Layton and the New Democrat team have
committed to make efforts to address income
variance among creators and ensure more stable
incomes over time, and we are open to exploring
prudent proposals to make this possible, including
the introduction of a Copyright Income Deduction
similar to the measure that already exists in
Quebec.
As you are certainly aware, the deduction already
in place in Quebec encompasses creators in a
variety of fields, and applies to any copyrighted
work that generates income. We believe such a
measure would likely have a minimal effect on
government revenues, and a far greater effect on
creators’ revenues.
New Democrats believe that in light of the
significant contribution made by the arts, culture
2
 spirit of the Copyright-Income and heritage sector to Canada’s economy – and to
Deduction for creators. We support the cultural wealth of Canada – the federal
allowing arts and culture workers to government has a responsibility to give creators
benefit from a tax averaging plan that the tools and the opportunity to enjoy a stable
accounts for the extreme fluctuations livelihood. This is particularly important in light of
in annual income which are part-and- vanishing revenue streams for creators.
parcel of the business.
Aside from the case of Quebec, the federal
government already provides a number of tax
deductions through the Canada Revenue Agency
that can serve as a model for the implementation
of such a deduction.

Furthermore, our party has long been committed

Liberals have always understood to providing economic relief for Canadians, with
that artists are hard working specific measures targeted to small businesses
citizens, committed to the value of and the selfemployed – many of whom work in the
cultural expression. A Liberal arts, culture and heritage sector – including
government will significantly reducing the small business tax rate from 11
increase support for Canadian percent to 9 percent. We believe this initiative will
artists and creators by doubling the offer concrete support to a sector of our economy
annual budget of the Canada that creates nearly half of all new jobs in Canada.
Council for the Arts, from $180 Additionally, New Democrats will offer a Job Tax
million to $360 million over the Credit that will provide up to $4,500 per new hire
next four years. A Liberal (including a $1,000 nonrefundable tax credit for
government will further support worker retention).
Would your party Le Bloc Québécois ne The Green Party is committed to Canadian artists by restoring the New Democrats are open to examining the
exempt from taxation s’est pas penché sur extending income tax relief and Promart and Trade Routes cultural feasibility of this measure at the earliest possible
subsistence grants for cette question mais incentives to artists and exempting promotion programs and opportunity. We have also committed to make tax
creators administered entend l’étudier subsistence grants might well be part increasing their funding to $25 averaging available for artists and workers in
by the Canada Council lors de la prochaine of the package. Our non-regressive tax million. cultural and knowledge industries.
for the Arts? If so, legislature. shift will assist all low-income artists
when?
when? and, indeed, all low-income
Canadians.

However what we must address is the

3
 abject poverty many creators are
forced to live in. A Green Government
will launch negotiations with the
provinces and other stakeholders to
implement the centerpiece and
foundation of our poverty eradication
strategy - the "Guaranteed Livable
Income"(GLI). Under our system,
Canadians will receive regular
payments without regard to a needs
test. Payment levels will be set
regionally at subsistence levels that
are above the poverty line. No means
testing, no surveillance and no follow-
up will free up large sections of
budgets to address other serious
problems like mental health and
addiction. This would reduce the
dependence on sometimes fickle
subsistence grants for creators and
would allow them to access a steady,
guaranteed income.
Investment in the Arts
Would you invest in Le Bloc Québécois Yes. The Green Party recognizes that Yes. The Liberal Party recognizes Our party has long been a keen supporter of the
the not-
not -for-
for-profit arts demande Canada's arts and culture sector is that the cultural sector is a major valuable work of the Canada Council for the Arts
sector by increasing l’augmentation à 300 under-funded compared to other part of the Canadian economy. and as such, we have committed to increase the
the allocation to the millions de dollars du government-supported sectors and According to a Conference Board budget of the Council by $30 million in 2011-2012,
Canada Council for the budget du Conseil des that it will take years of effort to undue study, culture generates more than $60 million in 2012-2013, and $90 million per year
Arts and the Arts et demande que le the imbalance. We have a $80 billion in direct and indirect in both 2013-2014 and 2014-2015.
department of gouvernement remette comprehensive plan that provides a economic benefits every year, and
Canadian Heritage, en place les wide swath of new support creates 1.1 million jobs. The Liberal Jack Layton and the New Democrat team believe
among
among others? If so, programmes Route mechanisms for the arts and culture Party also recognizes that the Canada’s thriving arts community should be able
by how much and in commerciale et section. This will include the creation Canada Council for the Arts is a to rely on stable, long-term core funding from the
what timeframe? Promart. a new tax-shifting schedule that will major force in supporting working federal government. Our commitment to fund the
provide tax incentives and direct artists. A Liberal government will Council will place the organization on firm footing

4

Would your party Oui.
return funding to the
Prom-
Prom- Art program? If
rebates to individuals and businesses increase investments in the arts and enable it to maintain and expand its activities,
in the arts and culture sector. sector by doubling the annual which we believe are essential to Canada’s cultural
Moreover we will provide increased budget of the Canada Council for heritage.
tax breaks for Canadians who donate the Arts, from $180 million to $360
to registered charities that focus on million over the next four years
the development of arts and culture in
Canada. We will also establish a
set percentage of the federal budget to
be used to increase and stabilize base
funding for community arts programs
and facilities across Canada. These
measures will strengthen and develop
Canada’s capacity to foster local
artistic talent throughout our country.
At the national level, we are
committed to increasing funding to all
of Canada’s arts and culture
organizations including the Canada
Council for the Arts, Telefilm Canada
and Canadian Heritage.
Furthermore, a Green Government
will stabilize base funding for the CBC
by providing it with 450 million dollars
in new funding over the next three
years. Our ultimate goal is to achieve
funding increases that are
commensurate with increases in
support over the years for other
sectors such as transport, energy and
health care.
Yes. Canadians take pride in our Yes. The Promart and TradeRoutes The New Democratic Party recognizes the
vibrant arts and culture community cultural promotion programs play significance of developing new markets for
and are eager to showcase an important role in bringing Canadian artists and their works abroad, as well as
5
so, when? If not, what Canadian culture for the rest of the Canadian culture to the world and providing support including market research,
would your party world. Eroding Canada's capacity for increasing our exports. A Liberal assisting creators in finalizing export plans and
propose to do for the cultural diplomacy is simply bad government will immediately helping them to bring their products to market.
development of foreign policy. We think PromArt and restore these programs. We will
foreign
foreig n markets ffor
or Trade Routes filled an important also increase their funding to $25 We opposed the Harper government’s decision to
Canadian cultural diplomatic and foreign affairs function million annually, starting in year abruptly shutter two key cultural funding programs
products? by helping build cultural bridges for one of a Liberal government. New that facilitated the promotion of Canadian art and
Canada and would restore their annual funding will help to create a culture outside of Canada – Trade Routes and
funding as soon as was feasible. domestic tours program as well. PromArt – and we have made a commitment to
explore the reinstatement of those programs to
resume the competitive export of Canadian
cultural products.
Would your party Le Bloc Québécois est With new technological developments Payments issued by the PLR New Democrats recognize that the time has come
return the Public plutôt favorable à cette changing the way that creators make a Commission are funded by the to re-examine this issue and we are open to
Lending Right proposition. living, it is important to find a fair way Canada Council for the Arts. In explore an adjustment of the so-called hit rate and
Commission’s h hit
it rate to ensure that they are compensated 2009-10, PLR payments accounted the possibility of extending it to cover e-books.
to the original $40 and for their work. Libraries, both in the for 6.3 percent of all grants,
commit to indexing it physical and digital worlds, are an payments, awards and prizes
to inflation going integral part of the lives for many funded by the Canada Council for
forward? Would you Canadians and should be protected. the Arts. A Liberal government will
push for PLR However this cannot come at the support Canadian artists by
compensation to cover expense of authors. The Green Party doubling the Canada Council for
e -books as well as of Canada is committed to working the Arts’ annual budget over the
books??
print books with creators and the public at large to next four years, enabling the
ensure that while creative content Canada Council for the Arts to
remains accessible, creators are still significantly increase the number
provided their due. and size of its grants, payments,
awards and prizes.
What investments Le Bloc Québécois The Green Party understands that the Canadians should continue to have Jack Layton and the New Democrat team will:
does your party considère que le Knowledge/Digital Economy relies access to ever more Canadian • Refocus the mandate of the CRTC to promote
propose to make in art Québec devrait upon the creative inputs of a thriving stories and Canadian content in and protect Canadian cultural industries; we will
and culture as a pouvoir mettre en arts and culture sector. As was the Digital Canada of the future. also ensure it better reflects Quebec’s cultural and
component of a place sa propre previously stated, we are committed New media should provide vibrant linguistic reality and that of Canada’s francophone
National Strategy for stratégie culturelle et to increasing funding to all of and rewarding new avenues for communities;
the Knowledge/Digital demande le Canada’s arts and culture expression by Canadian artists. The • Strengthen public broadcasting with long-term

6
Economy??
Economy rapatriement de la organizations including the Canada public broadcasters, Radio Canada
culture et des Council for the Arts, Telefilm Canada and the CBC have crucial roles
communications ainsi and Canadian Heritage. Furthermore, to play in achieving these
que les sommes a Green Government will stabilize objectives.
afferents. base funding for the CBC by providing
it with 450 million dollars in new A Liberal government will invest in
funding over the next three years. Canada’s cultural sector by
doubling the annual budget of the
Canada Council for the Arts over
four years. A Liberal government
will also provide the CBC and
Radio-Canada with stable and
predictable funding in support of
their unique and crucial roles as
essential promoters and defenders
of Canadians culture in the digital
age.
stable funding for CBC, RadioCanada and other
public broadcasters, including the capacity to
deliver superior regional production and Internet
services;
• Provide sustained funding for the Canada Media
Fund and Telefilm Canada, enhancing federal film
incentives and developing a targeted strategy for
the promotion of domestic films and online
content in Canada; and
• Develop a digital online culture service to
broaden access to Canadian content.