If I may, I would say that the first reason it's important is because of the balance that's been struck. Like others, I've been very concerned about the way the issues have been cast. Universities do want to pay creators and universities do pay creators. Universities do promote culture. Universities are vital forces for culture and creation in this country, and it's important that we get the balance right.
The second reason it's important is because of the clarity this legislation provides. Let's face it, when you got chosen for this committee, you didn't say, “Yes! I get to spend endless weeks going into the minutiae of copyright legislation.” This is tough stuff. It's dry stuff.
Jack McClelland, the icon of Canadian publishing, said that copyright is the most boring subject--but the most important.
He's right. It's important because we need to make sure that artists are adequately compensated. We need to make sure that people have access to the phenomenal creative works that are achieved in this country.
It's important in global terms because of the fast pace of technological change. I happened to be in India last November with 15 university presidents promoting Canada's brand in India. There are 500 million students under the age 25. They want to know how they can learn online. They want to know how they can access materials quickly. They want to look at digital learning.
There are opportunities for Canadians. There are opportunities for Canadian students. There are opportunities for Canadian instructors. There are opportunities for Canadian researchers. There are opportunities for Canadian technology firms.
We need the clarity that this act provides, and we need to get into the digital age in terms of our copyright legislation.