Canadian government trying to launder secret copyright treaties into law

Michael Geist sez, "The Canadian Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology released its report on the Intellectual Property Regime in Canada yesterday. While most the recommendations are fairly innocuous, the report involves a classic case of policy laundering as the government has fabricated support for the Canada - EU Trade Agreement and Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) provisions that were not even raised at committee. The report recommends ratifying four intellectual property treaties, despite the fact the treaties weren't discussed before committee.

"Why? Leaked versions of CETA and TPP both include requirements to ratify them. Should Canada reach agreement on CETA or the TPP, the committee report will presumably be used by the government to short-circuit further review on those treaties or to simply claim support for ratification on the basis on a committee recommendation that was secretly fabricated behind closed doors without any witness raising the issue during the public hearings."

Industry Committee Report on Intellectual Property: A Case of Policy Laundering for CETA and TPP

I write books. My latest is a YA science fiction novel called Homeland (it's the sequel to Little Brother). More books: Rapture of the Nerds (a novel, with Charlie Stross); With a Little Help (short stories); and The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow (novella and nonfic). I speak all over the place and I tweet and tumble, too.

MORE: ceta • Copyfight • corruption • law • tpp

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http://twitter.com/rohnjyan John Ryan

I think that from now on BoingBoing should title these posts ‘Canada’s Harper Government _____’ where _____ is ‘does something shitty’.

I mean, Harper made a big deal about rebranding the Canadian Government the Harper Government, so let’s at least give him what he wants–especially given that what he wants is usually out of step with what the majority of Canadians want.
http://twitter.com/zhasu Zhasu

We are silent.
Ryan Lenethen

Just waiting until they unveil the new blue and white flag.

Though I wouldn’t be surprised in deference to the US that they might keep some red in there…
Nash Rambler

I keep imagining a Lex Luthor-like Harper sitting around with the rest of the Legion of Doom in that giant swamp-helmet thing, plotting and hissing all Canada-style.

HARPER: We may have failed in our previous attempts, but never forget my fiendish cohorts, we need only succeed once for our sinister copyright bill to become law, forever! NYAHAHAHAH!
JonS

WTF, Canada eh?