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I.A.T.S.E. Appears Before Parliamentary Committee on Bill C-32

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International Vice President & Director of Canadian Affairs John Lewis and International Representative Paul Taylor appeared on February 8th before a Parliamentary Committee charged with reviewing Bill C-32, the Copyright Modernization Act. 

While expressing support for the government’s stated objectives, particularly with respect to job protection and creation in our industries, Vice President Lewis and Representative Taylor also expressed concerns that the Bill, as drafted, would fall short of attaining these objectives.  The appearance was recorded and is available for viewing at:

http://parlvu.parl.gc.ca/ParlVu/ContentEntityDetailView.aspx?ContentEntityId=7279

Written submissions detailing the IATSE’s position and arguments for technical modifications to the Bill were submitted in conjunction with the appearance.  There is some indication that consensus may be forming on certain of our proposed amendments, and we are hopeful that the Parliamentary Committee will issue a favourable report.  The biggest obstacle now before us is the potential for a federal election.  All of the major political parties are threatening to seek the dissolution of Parliament and to force a federal election.  If that happens, Bill C-32 will die on the Order table.

Digital theft is a major concern for the IATSE, which continues to lobby on behalf of preserving jobs in the entertainment industry.  A recent study undertaken by Ipsos and Oxford Economics called, “Economic Consequences of Movie Piracy – Canada” estimates that more than $1.8 billion and 12,600 full-time equivalent jobs were lost across the entire Canadian economy in 2009-10 as a result of movie piracy.  Efforts, which have included meetings with government officials and a grassroots email campaign involving all members, have continued to make an impact and are ongoing.   

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The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees or IATSE (full name: International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada), is a labor union representing over 170,000 technicians, artisans and craftspersons in the entertainment industry, including live events, motion picture and television production, broadcast, and trade shows in the United States and Canada.

For more information please contact:
General: comms@iatse.net
Press: press@iatse.net

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