From BoingBoing:

Michael Geist, “One of the major unanswered questions about Bill C-30, Canada’s lawful access/online surveillance bill, is who will pay for the costs associated with responding to law enforcement demands for subscriber information (‘look ups’) and installation of surveillance equipment (‘hook ups’). I recently obtained documents from Public Safety under the Access to Information Act that indicates that the government doesn’t really have its own answer. But apparently the police do. The documents indicate they proposed a new ‘public safety’ tax to be added to Internet and wireless bills.”

From BoingBoing:

Michael Geist sez,

The long road of Canadian copyright reform is nearing an end as the Bill C-11 committee concluded hearing from witnesses yesterday and indicated that it will begin a “clause-by-clause” review of the bill starting on Monday. While there will still be some additional opportunities for debate – third reading in the House of Commons, Senate review – the reality is that next week’s discussion will largely determine the future of Canadian copyright law.

For the thousands of Canadians that have participated in consultations and sent letters to their MPs, there is reason for concern. On one side, there are the major copyright lobby groups who have put forward a dizzying array of demands that would overhaul Bill C-11 including requiring Internet providers to block access to foreign sites, take down content without court oversight, and disclose subscriber information without a warrant. On top of those demands, the industry also wants individuals to face unlimited statutory damages and pay a new iPod tax.

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