: Why We Must Advocate for These Rights

In today’s digital and creative economy, copyright protection is more than just an artist’s right—it is an essential economic safeguard akin to a tariff. Copyright serves as a critical mechanism to protect intellectual property (IP) and ensure fair compensation for creators, particularly in Canada, where cultural industries contribute significantly to the nation’s economy. Without robust copyright enforcement, Canadian artists and innovators risk economic exploitation, loss of market control, and erosion of their professional legacies.

Copyright as an Economic Tariff

A tariff is traditionally understood as a tax or duty imposed on imported goods to protect domestic industries. Similarly, copyright functions as a regulatory mechanism to protect the work of Canadian creators from being freely used, exploited, or co-opted by external entities without due compensation. Just as tariffs ensure that foreign manufacturers do not undercut domestic production, copyright laws ensure that Canadian artists, designers, and content creators receive fair market value for their intellectual output.

Canada’s creative economy spans industries such as visual arts, music, literature, film, and digital content creation. Without stringent copyright protections, foreign corporations and even domestic institutions may use Canadian content without fair compensation, diminishing the economic sustainability of creative professions. In this sense, copyright operates as a necessary financial tariff that upholds market fairness and national cultural sovereignty.

The Risks of Weak Copyright Protection

When copyright enforcement is weak, creative professionals face significant risks:

1. Economic Loss – Without copyright enforcement, businesses, municipalities, and even large organizations can use artistic and intellectual works without payment, denying creators their rightful earnings.
2. Erosion of Cultural Heritage – Intellectual property theft leads to a loss of identity and historical misrepresentation. If Canada does not protect its creators, cultural narratives may be co-opted or misused.
3. Displacement of Creative Industries – Just as weak import tariffs can drive domestic manufacturers out of business, weak copyright laws can push artists into economic precarity, discouraging innovation and cultural contributions.
4. Loss of Market Control – A creator’s brand and reputation are built upon their works. When others use their intellectual property without permission, the integrity of their legacy and business model is compromised.

Advocacy for Stronger Copyright Protection

To safeguard the rights of Canadian creators, advocacy for stronger copyright enforcement is imperative. This includes:

• Legal Reforms: Strengthening copyright laws to ensure they function effectively in the digital age and that infringers face consequences.
• Public Education: Raising awareness about copyright as a financial and economic tool that supports industry sustainability.
• Institutional Accountability: Ensuring that cities, organizations, and institutions respect copyright law rather than exploit loopholes to use creative work without fair compensation.
• International Protection: Advocating for policies that prevent international entities from profiting off Canadian intellectual property without due process.

Conclusion

Copyright is not just a legal technicality; it is a fundamental economic safeguard that functions much like a tariff, ensuring that Canadian artists and creators are compensated fairly for their contributions. Without robust copyright protections, the economic and cultural landscape of Canada stands at risk of exploitation. Now, more than ever, we must advocate for strong copyright laws and enforcement to preserve our creative industries, sustain our cultural identity, and protect the rights of those who shape our national narrative.

By recognizing copyright as an economic tariff, we elevate the discussion beyond artistic integrity to include economic justice, ensuring that Canadian creators continue to thrive in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.