OT: Canadian Heritage Copyright Policy Rocked By Conflict of Interest Concerns

[Meng Cheah]

I saw this on Slashdot:

http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/2251/125/


      Canadian Heritage Copyright Policy Rocked By Conflict of Interest
      Concerns

Monday September 24, 2007

The Hill Times is reporting that Patricia Neri, the Director General of 
Copyright Policy at Canadian Heritage has been removed from her position 
to become a special advisor to Assistant Deputy Minister Jean-Pierre 
Blais with "duties still to be determined." While people move all the 
time in government, this development is noteworthy - not just because it 
comes mere weeks before a copyright bill may be unveiled, but because 
there are mounting rumours that the move comes as a direct result of a 
conflict of interest concerns.

Personnel at the Copyright Policy branch were advised by email late last 
week that the move was for "personal reasons," though Neri apparently 
stopped coming into work soon after Labour Day. According to multiple 
sources, the personal reason involves a personal relationship with one 
of Canada’s leading copyright lobbyists.

While Neri’s personal life is no one’s business but her own, this does 
raise troubling questions about the quick passage of Bill C-59, the 
anti-camcording legislation, since Neri appeared as a witness 
<http://www.parl.gc.ca/39/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/Com-e/tran-e/16evc-e.htm?Language=E&Parl=39&Ses=1&comm_id=19> 
before a Senate hearing on the bill with the lobbyist in the room. The 
Privy Council Office places particular responsibility 
<http://www.pco-bcp.gc.ca/default.asp?Language=E&Page=InformationResources&Sub=Publications&doc=pco-notes/cover_e.htm> 
on public servants that appear before a Parliamentary committee since 
they do so on behalf of the Minister.

Further, when was this known to senior officials at Canadian Heritage? 
If weeks ago, why does it appear that no one took action, particularly 
since this came at a time when Neri was briefing Josée Verner, the new 
Minister of Canadian Heritage, and the Prime Minister’s Office on 
copyright matters?

This is not an easy issue to raise, but if these reports are true, it 
surely creates at least a perceived conflict of interest contrary to 
Government Ethics Guidelines 
<http://www.psagency-agencefp.gc.ca/veo-bve/publications/aci-cia_e.asp> 
on a file that is very controversial and likely to grab the spotlight 
this fall. The Hill Times notes that Canadian Heritage has been slow to 
comment on the situation other than to confirm the move. Although it is 
important to protect the privacy of those affected, public confidence in 
the copyright process will be undermined if there is not a frank and 
full disclosure about who knew what and when.

Update: This story is beginning to generate some interest with coverage 
from VNUNet 
<http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2199483/sex-scandal-hits-canadian>, 
The Inquirer 
<http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2007/09/25/canada-rocked-by-copyright-scandal>, 
Contact Music 
<http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/canadian%20copyright%20chief%20charged%20with%20conflict%20of%20interest_1044738>, 
and, unsurprisingly, Frank Magazine <http://www.efrank.ca/home.html>.


Meng


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