Ottawa, September 29 - The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is pleased that the government has acted quickly to re-introduce copyright legislation in the House of Commons. Many companies, big and small, rely on the protection of intellectual property (IP) rights to maintain their businesses in Canada.

Updated copyright legislation will bring Canada more in line with other leading nations and establish guidelines for those who download and file share in the Internet. Properly applied, intellectual property rights drive job creation, economic growth and innovation.

“IP is the economic currency of the future. By defining and better protecting IP rights, we will continue to develop a marketplace that rewards investments in innovation and creation. This bill will help foster new business models that will lead to stronger economic growth in Canada” stated Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. 

“While the Canadian Chamber supports the principles behind this copyright legislation, improvements still need to be made to the bill. As currently drafted, the bill still contains some possible unintended consequences that could prove problematic for business. We look forward to a rigorous review of the bill at committee stage that will make sure that it achieves the purposes for which it is designed,” Beatty added.

Bill C-11 will implement the provisions of the World Intellectual Property Protection Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce endorses the ratification of these treaties, which were signed by Canada more than a decade ago, and supports a made-in-Canada approach.

The passage of Bill C-11 will improve digital IP safeguards. Other measures, including enhanced border protection against counterfeit goods and an updated patent regime, are also needed and the Canadian Chamber will continue to press for these safeguards for businesses in Canada.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is the vital connection between business and the federal government. It helps shape public policy and decision-making to the benefit of businesses, communities and families across Canada with a network of over 420 chambers of commerce and boards of trade, representing 192,000 businesses of all sizes in all sectors of the economy and in all regions. News and information are available at Chamber.ca or follow us on Twitter @CdnChamberofCom.

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Contact:
Émilie S. Potvin
Director, Public Affairs & Media Relations
Office: 613.238.4000 (231)
Cell.: 613.797.1860
epotvin@chamber.ca