Dear Committee Members,
I’m writing to you on behalf of the public interest with respect to Bill C-32. On Wednesday December 1st, 2010 this committee heard from academic Barry Sookman. Mr. Sookman is a registered lobbyist representing clients in this reform process, and it’s unclear to the public interest whether his registered lobby status and disclosure of his clients was present on the committee floor. The public interest is concerned about duplicate representation with respect to the witnesses called. From following the copyright consultations the public interest holds ample evidence of duplicate representation within the consultation of creator groups. Often these groups form alliances and lobby representation and end up also being called in individually as well confusing members of parliament and the public to achieve their objectives. The public interest is concerned about anti-trust in these proceedings and is willing to work with committee members to ensure that duplicate representation does not exist with respect to the witnesses called before this committee and to help ensure a balance of views so that this committee may achieve its objectives on behalf of Canadians.
It is therefore a request of the public interest that Mr. Sookman’s official registered status as a lobbyist on behalf of C32 and clients he represents towards government are made clear to the committee members as part of the official public record of these proceedings, and to the public. Failure to provide full disclosure should be reported by other committee members to the Ethics Commissioner for further study, since it may deeply effect the public’s trust and the legitimacy of these proceedings. I would also ask that full disclosure of any group affiliations and lobby representatives be made clear and on public record by all individual witnesses prior to opening statements.
Furthermore on behalf of the public interest I would request that Ms. Bridget Anderson be called in to testify before this committee. Ms. Anderson is an independent researcher hired by the Government of Canada to conduct a study on the effects of file sharing and media. Her report for the Government has been world renowned and the conclusions expressed in this report have been backed up by researchers at the UNCTAD and many independent academics. I think these views are not expressed in any of the current witnesses, and believe this committee will find her input helpful. Her full report can be found here:
Researchers from the UNCTAD commented on this report here: http://www.dime-eu.org/node/477#comment-1 with quoted research
I also think it is important to clarify that Michael Geist doesn’t speak on behalf of consumers. Consumers responded in great numbers to the copyright consultations and would request that the consumer voice not be represented to one person, but to the collective of Canadians who responded to these consultations.
I ask this of you on behalf of those you represent. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Jason Koblovsky
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