Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
First, I must admit I find it abnormal that we can consider, even if for only a moment, not only removing the ability to create, but also not protecting the creator of a work. The very basis of that creation is that person's ability to distribute it; it is revenue. We must not get into a free for all. Personally, I have always wanted to protect the creator above all. That's the very basis of everything.
I have a 17-year-old daughter and a 14-year-old son. So you can see me coming with this generational debate over access. I sense that there is unfortunately a culture that trivializes access. Rights and privileges are confused. It's a privilege to have access to a work. On the other hand, I put myself in the position of consumers. The clearly want greater distribution. Consumers must have access to the creation of a work and become a kind of standard-bearer for it. That's what we're talking about in terms of balance.
I have no problem with the issue of power relationships or with the possibility that we can give you the necessary tools to defend yourselves and a certain degree of protection. If you don't have that negotiating ability, you're at the mercy of someone else.
We get the sense that technology is moving much faster than the law. As a result, the law we change today will be moot in a year or two. I remember all the work we've done. You talked about Bill C-60, and it's still the same thing. At the time, we were talking about cassettes and CDs. Now we have iPods and iPads, and ultimately we don't know what will be coming. This is an issue that seems philosophical, but I think is important as a legislator. What is your definition of flexibility?
Ultimately, we need a business model so that you can protect yourselves while giving us decent access to that work for educational or other purposes. But put yourselves in our position.
I'm going to start perhaps with Ms. Levy and Ms. Simpson, since they live from these exemptions. How do you define this flexibility? There is a definite evolution. I want to protect the creator and allow wider distribution. Ms. Levy, perhaps, to start with?