Canadian Publishers Associations welcome potential Copyright reforms introduced by the 2022 Budget announcement.

on May 05, 2022

The Canadian government tabled its budget report on April 8, 2022. It confirmed the Government of Canada’s commitment to ensuring that the Copyright Act protects all creators and copyright holders. With this, it also acknowledges the importance of creating the conditions to ensure a sustainable educational publishing industry, including fair remuneration for rightsholders.

After a decade of wrenching struggle, Canada’s new federal budget specifically promises relief for beleaguered, unpaid copyright holders. The government is finally signaling a commitment to amend the copyright act “to ensure fair compensation for creators and copyright holders as part of a sustainable educational publishing marketplace.”

Ruth Linka, President of the Association of Canadian Publishers (ACP) welcomed the news saying: “Copyright is the foundation on which we build our businesses. Our ability to invest in the high-quality resources educators are looking for—and what the Canadian students deserve—has been compromised over the last ten years. Copyright reform is urgently needed so that Canadian publishers can better serve our readers, and continue to invest in the work of Canadian writers, illustrators, translators, and other creative professionals.”

Arnaud Foulon, President of ANEL, the Association National des Editeurs de Livres, stated: “It is very good news for book publishers that the Government of Canada understands the importance of protecting copyright, recognizing the importance of fair compensation for creators and rights holders. When it was modernized in 2012, many exceptions were added to the law: it is finally time to close the gaps and protect the future of the book. We are delighted that Ministers Pablo Rodriguez, of Canadian Heritage, and François-Philippe Champagne, of Innovation, Science and Industry, can work together to develop these long-awaited fixes.”

The ACP followed up their initial 8 April statement on World Book and Copyright Day (23 April), underlining the $190M in lost licensing revenue of the Canadian book sector under the current copyright law and calling on the Government of Canada to act quickly to fulfill its commitments to amend the Copyright Act and to ensure a sustainable educational publishing industry. Amendments are urgently needed to restore a functioning marketplace for the sales and licensing of educational materials, and to create the conditions that will encourage investment in future Canadian learning resources.

Ruth Linka: “Canadian publishers have always been partners in education, producing books that speak specifically to the Canadian curriculum and experience. Changes to the Copyright Act have reduced educational sales revenues, in turn forcing our sector to reduce our investment in new educational material or focus on other markets, like the United States. Students are losing out on critical Canadian perspectives and storytelling as a result.”

Kate Edwards, Executive Director of ACP added: “COVID-19 has further exposed longstanding weaknesses in the Copyright Act, and the legal framework that should underpin our industry does not encourage publishers to invest in the digital content and infrastructure today’s education system demands. Legislative solutions to repair the market are available; it’s up to the Government of Canada to act.”