We are happy to announce that we have set a date: Tuesday, November 29, for the Day of Action to push Innovation, Science and Industry Minister Champagne to keep his government’s promise to fix Canada’s Copyright Act.
It’s now been over seven months since the federal government made a commitment in the 2022 federal budget to restore fair compensation to creators and publishers as part of a sustainable educational publishing marketplace. No action has been taken to date.
On November 29, creators, publishers and concerned individuals will be asked to visit the I Value Canadian Stories website to send a letter to Minister Champagne urging him to take action to support Canadian writers, visual artists and publishers and amend the Copyright Act.
The more letters that are sent on November 29, the more inaction will no longer be an option.
We hope you will, as you have so many times before, encourage your membership to take part on November 29.
Below is a message that you are free to use and/or adapt as needed. To ensure maximum mobilization of our collective voice, we hope you will contact your membership by Thursday, November 24.
We will be back in touch on the morning of November 29 with a secondary message to send to your membership that will include a link to the letter-writing tool on the I Value Canadian Stories website.
SAMPLE MESSAGE:
Day of Action: Tuesday, November 29
On November 29, the I Value Canadian Stories coalition will be asking you to visit its website to send a letter to Innovation, Science and Industry Minister Champagne to urge him to keep his government’s promise to fix the Copyright Act.
For ten years and counting, Canadian creators and publishers have been waiting to be paid when their works are copied by educational institutions outside of Quebec.
For seven months and counting, Canadian creators and publishers have been waiting for the government to take action to fulfil a commitment in the 2022 federal budget to amend the Copyright Act to protect creators and copyright holders.
We can’t wait any longer.
The more letters sent on November 29, the louder the message will be that further delay is not an option.
Stay tuned for an email on November 29 with a link to a letter writing tool on the I Value Canadian Stories website.
If you do one thing on November 29, please be sure it is to send your letter to Minister Champagne.
Robert Gilbert (he/him/his)
Communications Specialist and Affiliate Relations
Access Copyright, The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency
69 Yonge Street, Suite 1100
Toronto, ON M5E 1K3
P: 416 868 1620 ext. 283
TF: 800 893 5777
F: 416 868 1621