Home » Blogs » Russell McOrmond's blog Connie Fogal, Leader of the Canadian Action Party, supports accountability on copyright In response to my letter, Ms. Fogal had taken the pledge. She then wished to change the wording to the following: I support the principle that No Member of Parliament who has accepted financial contributions or other benefits from (i) a copyright lobby group, (ii) its corporate members, or (iii) senior executives as well as (iv) a copyright collective shall serve as Minister of Canadian Heritage or as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, nor sit on any legislative committee (parliamentary or standing committees) conducting hearings or deliberations on copyright matters and urge Parliament to pass legislation to effect this principle. She drew my attention to S 550 of the Canada Elections Act which states: 550. No candidate shall sign a written document presented by way of demand or claim made on him or her by any person or association of persons, between the issue of the writ and polling day, if the document requires the candidate to follow a course of action that will prevent him or her from exercising freedom of action in Parliament, if elected, or to resign as a member if called on to do so by any person or association of persons. She further states that, "I ask you to raise and challenge this S 550 of the Elections Act as being a deliberate move to prevent direct democracy and any significant electoral reform.". While she suggested we try to lead the charge to repeal S 550, this is an issue that is outside the scope of what we do on Digital Copyright Canada. I would be interested to find out if there is an existing campaign to do so. * By Russell McOrmond at 2006/01/14 - 13:54 * Canada Votes 2006 * Canadian Action