A coalition of seven English-language national writers’ organizations has formally outlined its objections to the copyright modernization act now before Parliament. In a formal brief addressed to the industry and heritage ministers, the group calls on the government to throw out several proposed amendments, including a provision to expand the definition of “fair dealing” to include education as well as provisions pertaining to non-commercial user-generated content and inter-library loans of digital files. The brief also underlines the importance of collective licences in supporting publishers and writers.

The signatories to the document are the Canadian Authors Association, the Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers, the League of Canadian Poets, the Literary Translators’ Association of Canada, the Playwrights Guild of Canada, the Professional Writers Association of Canada, and The Writers’ Union of Canada. From the brief:

It is essential that Canada’s copyright law reflects the new technological developments that are transforming the way that writing and other forms of cultural expression are created and distributed. However, Canadian writers have deep concerns about the impact of the long list of new exemptions in Bill C-32

For background on Bill C-32, which underwent second reading in the House of Commons last week, read Q&Q‘s coverage of the issue. Or you can read the entire brief, which has been posted online by the Professional Writers Association of Canada.