My name is Greg Johnston. I'm a songwriter and the treasurer of the Songwriters Association of Canada.
I'm a 40-year-old. I have a wife, two kids, a car, and I live in downtown Toronto. I volunteer, shop for groceries, pay taxes, and I vote. I studied music at both Simon Fraser University and Grant MacEwan College. I had student loans and I paid them off. I picked a career, I was educated for it, and I'm really good at what I do.
I've worked with artists such as Olivia Newton-John, Marc Jordan, Ron Sexsmith, Hawksley Workman, and Nick Lachey, to name a few. Unlike my friend and colleague Mr. Vallance, my songs have not sold over 100 million copies, and unless drastic measures are taken, songwriters of my generation will never have the chance. In fact, despite my education, talent, and success, I may have no choice but to leave the profession entirely.
Some may say “That's life”, something I would be willing to accept but for the fact that our songs have never been more popular. They're on your radio when you drive to work. They encourage you on the treadmill. They play at your daughter's wedding. They help to sell shoes, toothpaste, life insurance, and they've even helped the odd political campaign.
The solution to our industry's dilemma lies in the monetization of music file sharing. To reiterate what Jim Vallance said, a mutually beneficial partnership with the ISPs would allow consumers access to our work in the way they are now accustomed to. Rights holders would be remunerated, success would be rewarded, and fair business practice would be restored.
To this end, Bill C-32 has nothing to offer. Bill C-32, as written, opens the doors to years of lawsuits with regard to the definition of fair dealing.
The last decade has been a period of rapid decline for our industry. Forcing music creators to, in essence, sue for their supper only increases our financial hardship. It solves none of the basic problems we face.
Digital locks and lawsuits, as well as other repressive measures, are a well-worn path at this point, and they have proven to largely be a dead end.
We at the SAC support the private copy levy as a part of a comprehensive plan to remunerate music creators for our work. While helpful to creators, the levy in and of itself is not a comprehensive solution, and it should not be seen as such.
With blank CD sales declining annually, and the failure of Bill C-32 to extend the levy to devices like the iPod, this legislation offers little hope for our future.
In conclusion, we at the SAC are grateful for this opportunity to appear before the committee. We sincerely hope our input will be helpful in amending this crucial legislation so that it may foster an enlightened and profitable Canadian music industry.
Thank you.