Bill C-32 (40th Parliament, 3rd Session) Committee on Dec. 13th, 2010

[Douglas Arthur Brown]

Well, yes, that's true; if the provision goes through as it stands, they will be paying less, and therefore I will be receiving less.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gord Brown]

Thank you.

Ms. Boucher, you have five minutes.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Good afternoon to our witnesses.

I have several questions. Mr. Brown, I imagine that the people who are listening to us or watching us on television do not fully understand what we're talking about. Earlier you said that you have written five books and published literary magazines. Those publications have brought in more than a quarter of a million dollars. That is correct, that is what you stated. This has benefited advertisers, drafters, photographers, local bookstores, but as an author, as an artist—because you are an artist, you are an author, you are the one who wrote the book, you are the one who created it—as a creator, how much of this would you receive, perhaps not in actual dollars but in terms of the percentage of that quarter of a million dollars? Is it proportional to your cultural contribution? At the end of the line, does your copyright fee provide you with a certain amount of money? In terms of the percentage, is it worth your while?

[Douglas Arthur Brown]

Absolutely it's worth it. Writers want to be read. That's why we do what we do.

But to answer your question, regarding the books, generally speaking I would get 8% to 10%, depending on the publisher. The rest of that income, or the income generated from that book, would benefit other people in my industry.

Regarding the magazine, that was a work of love. I never took a salary for that. I was very proud that I was able to pay writers and photographers and bring their work to a larger audience.

It is generally known that for every $1 invested in culture in Canada, there is a $3 return. I would argue that it's even more in smaller communities in Canada. We do make tremendous contributions to the economy, to the local tax base. If you take us out, there's a lot to be lost.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Thank you very much.

Are there any parts of Bill C-32, on copyright, that you like?

[Douglas Arthur Brown]

As it stands right now, there is nothing good in the bill for writers. So if the question is whether to accept the bill as it stands, I would not accept it. There's nothing there for me.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

You're saying that there's nothing in there for you. There's absolutely nothing that you could agree with—

[Douglas Arthur Brown]

No.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

—as an author.

[Douglas Arthur Brown]

No, not with the exceptions as they stand. If you remove those, I'm fine.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Fine. If the exceptions were removed you could agree.

[Douglas Arthur Brown]

Absolutely.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

I would now like to ask a question of the Canadian Teachers' Federation.

In order to dispel the myth that this will destroy traditional books, I would like you to tell us what the clause on fair dealing for the purposes of education will allow you to do.

[John Staple]

As I said earlier, I think the inclusion of education in fair dealing will clarify the ability of educators and students to use material, within the parameters of the copyright legislation, that they could not do before. That is true of the education exemption, the Internet exemption, as well.

In a nutshell, that's basically it.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Therefore you feel that this bill is very important.

[John Staple]

Absolutely. It's extremely important.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Fine.

Do I still have time Mr. Chairman?

[The Chair, Conservative, Gord Brown]

You have one minute left.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

I will give it to Mr. Lake.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

I just have one question for Mr. Brown.

You said the following in your opening statement:

About 85% of Access Copyright's current revenues...is at risk if “fair dealing for education” is incorporated into Bill C-32. So, I stand to lose up to 85% of my income from Access Copyright.

Now, 85% is a very specific number.

[Douglas Arthur Brown]

I said “up to” 85% could potentially be lost.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

Right. Now can you back that up, please, if you can? How did you come to 85% as a number?

[Douglas Arthur Brown]

That was supplied to me by Access Copyright.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

What was the explanation they gave you? You're using it in your opening statement, so you must stand behind it--

[Douglas Arthur Brown]

I do stand behind it.