Supporting Culture and Innovation

Supporting Culture and Innovation: Report on the Provisions and Operation of the Copyright Act

With the June, 2001, release of A Framework for Copyright Reform, the Government of Canada launched a process for reforming Canadian copyright legislation over the years to come. As part of the process, the Government of Canada will consider issues, consult Canadians, and propose legislative amendments, where necessary, in a step-by-step manner.

Subsection 92(1) of the Copyright Act stipulates that:

"Within five years after the coming into force of this section, the Minister [of Industry] shall cause to be laid before both Houses of Parliament a report on the provisions and operation of this Act, including any recommendations for amendments to this Act."

Section 92 of the Act came into force in 1997 when the Act was last amended by Parliament (Bill C-32). As noted in A Framework for Copyright Reform, the report outlines a proposed agenda for reform.

On October 3, 2002, Supporting Culture and Innovation: Report on the Provisions and Operation of the Copyright Act was tabled on behalf of the Minister of Industry. The report, which is the result of collaboration between the Departments of Industry and Canadian Heritage, assesses the operations of the Act by identifying the issues that have remained outstanding since Bill C-32, as well as new issues that have since emerged. It groups these issues thematically and provides a prioritization to these groupings consistent with the Government of Canada's larger public policy agenda.

The report has been referred to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage. This committee must report back to Parliament within one year after the report of the Minister or later if an extension is granted by the appropriate House of Parliament. The committee has been invited to provide its views on the Government of Canada's reform agenda. This is an important step in ensuring that Canada has a world-class, modern and progressive copyright regime which is internationally recognized as providing competitive innovation environment, conducive to increased investment in knowledge and cultural works.