Mr. Speaker, private radio stations in my riding and indeed across Canada are worried for their very survival. This industry has lost more than $100 million during the last three years. Today radio stations are facing another threat, a potential change in government policy.
The Department of Canadian Heritage is studying "Neighbouring Rights" which would extend the current music copyrights. If this is done, radio stations will have to pay royalties to producers and performing artists whenever they play a song on the radio.
Such an amendment would cost radio stations across Canada $22 million. Since Canada is a net importer of music, most of the royalties will flow across the Canadian border into the pockets of already wealthy music producers and artists. The struggling Canadian musician will see very little benefit.
The policy could also shut down local radio stations if enacted. It will undoubtedly result in the loss of jobs.