Mr. Speaker, recently the minister of heritage announced plans to introduce legislation that will amend the Copyright Act.
In his announcement the minister mentioned there would be reforms that would include some neighbouring rights for producers and performers for the use of their creations. The neighbouring rights amendments will have a negative impact on the private radio broadcasting industry which could result in the closing of radio stations and job losses.
A government study has been released by the Department of Canadian Heritage which mentions that higher copyright payments will seriously hurt most and put some radio stations out of business. If this government study is correct, I ask the minister why he continues to implement such legislation.
This Liberal government continues to renege on its election promise of creating jobs. All this government has done since its inception is eliminated this country's permanent infrastructure of long term jobs and replaced it with short term infrastructure jobs.
I urge the minister to reconsider tabling such legislation that will have a devastating impact on private radio broadcasters.