Press Release: February 9, 2004

Michael OReilly, PWAC President
John Degen, PWAC Executive Director

As the new Liberal government begins pre-budget work, the Periodical Writers Association of Canada (PWAC) has drawn up a "wish list" of political measures designed to preserve the nation's professional freelance workforce - the "independent voices" of Canada.

Canada's freelancers represent a sizeable majority of magazine, newspaper and new media contributors across the country, including writers, editors, photographers and illustrators. Their freelance livelihoods have been under attack for several years, and increasing erosion is now being advanced by copyright confusion, electronic duplication/distribution via the Internet, and media convergence. In order to keep Canadian creative life viable, we ask that the federal government:

1. Revisit tax breaks/credits to Canadian creators. A private member's bill put forth by MP Wendy Lill (Dartmouth), the NDP Critic for Culture and Communications, failed to pass in the House's last session.

Given the importance of Canadian creators to our culture, the fact that their annual incomes are routinely below the poverty line, and that other countries, such as Ireland, have implemented similar tax reforms, we ask that a new bill supporting creators be submitted.

2. Simplify Canada's copyright legislation. Provide artists with clear ownership of copyright, and make the rights attached to that ownership straightforward, with no exceptions.

Copyright collectives already in place provide the infrastructure to allow the marketplace to effectively manage distribution of copyrighted works. Simplifying our copyright legislation will make it easier for Canada to meet the requirements of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaty, which we have signed but not yet ratified.

3. Link government support for publishers (e.g. the 27 million dollar Canada Magazine Fund) to fair treatment of content contributors. In particular, we note:

a) Freelance pay rates at magazines have been stagnant for more than 25 years, with no adjustments for inflation.
b) Publishers have been demanding additional copyrights with little or no increase in compensation - and often with no compensation whatsoever.
c) Many publishers have been pressuring creators to sign contracts relinquishing most, if not all, their copyright under penalty of non-publication.

Creators, already low-paid, marginalized and poorly treated, are effectively subsidizing Canadian culture through the loss of their livelihoods. PWAC calls upon the federal government to rectify this shameful cultural emergency.

PWAC is the national association representing freelance writers and journalists across Canada.

For more information:

Michael OReilly, President (807) 229-2686 info@pwac.ca

John Degen, Executive Director (416) 504-1645 jdegen@pwac.ca

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