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Canadian Bill C-234 to Require ISP licensing
Matthew Skala writes "In Monday's House of Commons proceedings, Canadian Member of Parliament Peter Stoffer (NDP member for Sackville-Musquodoboit Valley-Eastern Shore) introduced Bill C-234, an anti-child-pornography Bill. It requires all Internet Service Providers to get licenses from the Government, specifically including non-profits and individuals. Licensed ISPs then must block Web sites named by the Government as containing child pornography, and must "report information [of the Government's choice] to the Commission for the purposes of this Act" - a requirement that neatly slips in spy-on-your-users requirements under the radar of the ongoing Industry Canada consultation on "Lawful Access" (wiretapping/CanCarnivore)."
Of course we have a constitution. It just doesn't have such silly things as the right to wear short sleeve t-shirts ("Right to bear arms" anyone?) ;-)
It's going to be difficult for non-Canadians to understand what's going on here...
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The NDP (of which Peter Stoffer is a member) is largely a rump party (holding only 13 seats of 301). So the amount of influence it has in Canadian politics at the moment is minimal beyond criticism.
Since the NDP does not hold power, this means that Mr Stoffer's bill is a private members bill. These very rarely become law. Often what happens is these bills go into commitees and don't come out.
I'd say the chances of this bill getting passed are about as good as Larry Ellison & Bill Gates becoming bosum buddies.
If you want to learn more about how the Canadian political system works, try these links:
http://frenchcaculture.miningco.com/library/wee
http://www.parlcent.ca/canada/mg.
I really doubt if this bill will actually become law for one simple reason: telecommunication giants like BCE (Bell Canada Enterprises) and Rogers Cable will lobby to have the bill killed, since a bill like this would make them legally and finacially liable for the actions of their subscribers. Both companies have enough problems keeping their networks stable---they don't also need the problems of trying to filter their users.
# it costs tax money to enact and to enforce
That is such a terrible point.
Coming from an abusive home, I have to say I am thankful for the taxes that went to my public defender, the taxes that paid for the childrens shelter, and the taxes that paid the judges salary. Now that i'm a somewhat well adjusted adult, I pay property tax on my house, income tax, all kinds of taxes. These kids that are being exploited on the internet need someone to look out for them, cause it sure as hell doesn't sound like you will.
Kids are human beings and our future, they're not some commodity that you can make that sort of statement on. Cattle, yes, kids no. Whoever gave you a mod point should be ashamed of themselves