Canadian Coalition for Electronic Rights
 

Embattled Canadian Minister of Industry Jim Prentice woes continue. Amid speculation of an imminent cabinet shuffle and the Wiki scrubbing controversy it appears that Prentice will no longer be speaking at the OECD’s Ministerial Meeting on the Future of the Internet Economy scheduled for next week.

Prentice’s name which appeared on the agenda as of May 6, 2008 has been replaced on the updated agenda as of June 6, 2008 by the Deputy Minister of Industry, Richard Dicerni (image with Prentice / without Prentice. This was to be a high-profile event for Prentice, even on his own website he lauded:

“This June, the Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development will hold its Ministerial Meeting on the Future of the Internet Economy in Seoul, Korea. I have been invited to be Vice-Chair for the meeting, which will provide an excellent opportunity to re-establish Canada’s position as a leader both in policy and market performance. We’re very serious about science and technology. We strongly believe that our S&T Strategy is the best framework for moving forward, and I’m pleased that ITAC has endorsed the strategy.”

The big question now is why has Prentice opted out of speaking at the OECD meeting next week. It would seem that he is still intent on tabling the Canadian DMCA prior to the OECD meeting next week and by not appearing at the meeting he can avoid having to answer critical questions relating to the controversial legislation in an international forum. This explanation is certainly supported by Peter Van Loan’s recent move to ensure that all contact between constituents furious Canadian consumers and Conservative MPs relating to copyright reform be forwarded to Jim Prentice’s office.

With only 8 sitting days remaining before the summer break it is essential that if you object to a restrictive, made in America copyright reform bill you send a letter to Prentice, Verner and Harper now!

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