"I'm a writer. A writer, not a professor, teacher, banker, doctor or some other professional who finances his or her writing with a secondary income stream. For a quarter century I have committed myself solely to the art of the narrative. Ironically, though my work is more widely available to the public through the internet, compensation for my labour continues to decline as copyright is eroded and pirating becomes commonplace. At any university, high school or elementary school in this country, everyone from the custodian to the dean earns a livable salary except the very people who provide the teaching content upon which these institutions are based. How fair is this model?"

"The Canadian Copyright Act has ensured that I maintain ownership of my work and receive payment when others utilize that work connected to revenue gaining activities. In the digital age, writers are seeing wider distribution without compensation. It is harder to earn a living, which truly makes it harder to keep creating. I sincerely hope that the Canadian government recognizes the substantial contribution of creative artists to the cultural tapestry of Canada and ensures that through fair compensation, we can keep Canadian culture strong and vibrant."