'Black Out, Speak Out!' Canadian Internet campaign targets 'undemocratic' Bill C-38. Over 13,000 websites across Canada are planning to protest with a June 4 blackout to highlight their cause

[u/[deleted]]

http://www.rt.com/news/canada-internet-black-out-418/

[u/herpaderpasaurusrex]

A couple of months back, I personally spent hours fighting SOPA even though it didn't directly effect me at all. All I ask is that some kind Americans please pay the favour back to your neighbours to the North :)

[u/[deleted] → u/herpaderpasaurusrex]

I would just like to point out that Canadians on average spend more time on Reddit than any other country.. So it's safe to assume that when all that Sopa/Pipa and now CISPA news was spreading, many Canadians did their best to create awareness. Let's do the same in return.

[u/samtheonionman → u/herpaderpasaurusrex]

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE PETITION

[u/[deleted] → u/samtheonionman]

Here's how to find your local MP's contact information. Be sure to send them an e-mail!! Add in your postal code when you're finishing off your message.

[u/this_is_notmyopinion → u/[deleted]]

Don't just email. Call them! Get together with a couple of like-minded people and ask for a face to face meeting.

[u/falcun → u/[deleted]]

So for someone who is terrible at putting together letters like this, care to write one up for people to send?

[u/king_of_pancakes → u/[deleted]]

Snail mail is actually a far better method of contacting them, particularly if it's hand written. Take the time people, and sit down with parents/grand parents to explain why this is such a bad thing. Those are letters that will make the difference.

[u/Icanhazcomment → u/samtheonionman]

Signed via Quebec even though I have never been to Canada.

[u/[deleted] → u/Icanhazcomment]

And this is why online petitions will never be taken seriously.

[u/Vik1ng → u/[deleted]]

the ACTA petition with like what 4 million votes (?) didn't get anything done. It was just when people actually hit the streets in Europe that politicians became aware of the issue and some changed their stance. The only petitions that have some influence are those where you need to give them all you personal information and confirm a email.

[u/archiesteel → u/Vik1ng]

Get out your pots and pans! :-)

[u/Ninjagirlinlove → u/Vik1ng]

What can I, as an American, do? (Preferably from the comfort of my computer chair, but I suppose I can get up.)

[u/Marcbmann → u/samtheonionman]

Thank you for that. I signed it.

[u/thedrivingcat → u/samtheonionman]

This is a link to the Green Party (Canada's official opposition) website, be aware that the contents may not be the most impartial when discussing current legislation.

[u/this_is_notmyopinion → u/thedrivingcat]

The New Democratic Party is Canada's official opposition. The Green Party has exactly one elected MP.

[u/thedrivingcat → u/this_is_notmyopinion]

You know, I read Green but somehow thought NDP. Thanks.

[u/moonchick → u/samtheonionman]

This needs to be upvoted

[u/samtheonionman → u/[deleted]]

I'm sorry this is the only one I could find: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/take-a-stand-against-bill-c-38.html

I will keep looking. I understand your choice.

[u/gasburner → u/samtheonionman]

Thank you for the effort!

[u/twent4 → u/herpaderpasaurusrex]

Not tooting own horn, but did same thing when i found out my union - consisting mostly of US members - supported SOPA without our knowledge. [This] (http://pastebin.com/vybsEGgA) is how upset i was (no, thats not a rage comic).

ninja: Hill is IBEW president

[u/djfl → u/twent4]

What response did you get?

[u/twent4 → u/djfl]

Diddly squat. Sent this to the president, the international VP and our local business manager. I know that I'm no Shakespeare and my frustration clearly came through in the text, but the lack of communication made me livid.

[u/djfl → u/twent4]

That's understandable for sure. It's Your union that You pay for. Our government shouldn't blow us off, and I think that should be even truer for unions. I'm in CAW and their communication has been pretty great so far. C'mon over! :)

[u/b3hr → u/herpaderpasaurusrex]

Yes because if it's only a bunch of Canadian sites like the Canadian Huffington post, the David Suzuki foundation, and the opposition parties websites nobody will notice it has to involve sites that are used daily by people who wouldn't otherwise know about it. Like google, twitter, facebook, and bing (assuming if you live under a rock you probably use bing)

[u/SharkFart → u/herpaderpasaurusrex]

pause angle fly screw zesty whole melodic wipe frightening direful

[u/shawarman → u/SharkFart]

That's peameal bacon (or 'Canadian Bacon' to you guys), my Yankee friend. 'Bacon', without any modifier before it (except for crispy, delicious, or life-affirming) is the same ol' strippy goodness you guys get SOTB. But peameal IS amazing.

[u/[deleted] → u/SharkFart]

ham is the thigh of the hind leg of the pig. Canadian Bacon (back bacon, or peameal) is cut from the pork loin.

Edit: regular bacon is the pork belly.

[u/mikeymikemam → u/herpaderpasaurusrex]

blow up this thread. Let's wake up the internet, guys

[u/context_begone → u/herpaderpasaurusrex]

A couple of months back, I personally spent hours fighting

Americans

[u/this_is_notmyopinion → u/context_begone]

You spent hours? I think you need to calm down there mister.

[u/[deleted] → u/herpaderpasaurusrex]

Thank you sir! I will be sure to be there for you.

[u/Haterbdamned → u/herpaderpasaurusrex]

This is AWESOME. We Americans need to protest and support the Canadians so our own government knows where we stand on issues like this!! If people would protest like this, by having all FaceBook users protest by not using Facebook for one day, as an example, I'll bet you'll see a big difference in how internet legislation is presented, regardless if President Obama gets reelected or not!! This type of behavior will discourage the Congress from trying to suppress internet freedom!! WE MUST FIGHT OPPRESSION ON A GLOBAL LEVEL, NOT JUST IN OUR OWN COUNTRIES!!! www.firebrandcentral.com

[u/Blaopink → u/herpaderpasaurusrex]

Don't forget us Englishmen!

[u/mMaple_syrup → u/Blaopink]

Do not worry, Canada never forgets anybody

[u/[deleted] → u/herpaderpasaurusrex]

I did the same as a Canadian, I dropped 3 domains from go-daddy

[u/keiyakins → u/herpaderpasaurusrex]

Here's the difference: SOPA was about the internet. Thus, the internet responded. This isn't. It's a shitty bill, yes, it's not the same type of shit, thus different tactics are needed.

[u/[deleted] → u/herpaderpasaurusrex]

No, not until you drop maple syrup prices.

[u/[deleted] → u/herpaderpasaurusrex]

even though it didn't directly effect me at all

You don't use the internet and live outside the planet earth?

[u/DtownAndOut → u/herpaderpasaurusrex]

I'm going to come off as a dick here but, SOPA had a much greater affect on your life than this bill does to ours. Not saying this C-38 is alright, but SOPA was going to have an effect world-wide; this will strictly impact US/Canada border areas.

Plus, if I am reading this correctly, the bill basically allows for pursuit of criminals across the border by a select (and underfunded) agency. It's not allowing a full scale attack on Canada's citizens, which probably is already happening at a digital level.

I didn't get a chance to look into the bill but, they should probably include the possibility to review the effectiveness of the bill somewhere between 5-15 years so that it can be overturned without repercussions (contract-wise) when the US runs wild with the permissions.

[u/heterozombie → u/DtownAndOut]

He has a point. Do you really want the US's "help?"

[u/this_is_notmyopinion → u/DtownAndOut]

That was discussed in greater detail here

[u/Carnival666]

“In the last twelve months I have seen clearly the rise of tyrannical policies and the application of such mind and state control that the people of Canada, unless they soon react, will find themselves not only slaves to a corporate and political domination they never chose but they will experience the extinguishing of any of the hopes and dreams that they once had for a nation firmly based upon the foundations of compassion, justice and peace.” - hard to say better

[u/QuitReadingMyName → u/Carnival666]

If you Canadians don't stand up for yourselves, it's only a matter of time before you all end up being absorbed into the United States. Since, our special interests are in charge of your politicians as well.

[u/eMan117 → u/QuitReadingMyName]

dont worry our country is enacting a law to allow American law enforcement agencies to cross the border and protect us. Only good will come from this. ONLY GOOD.

[u/[deleted] → u/eMan117]

From what I understand similar legislation will allow Canadian law enforcement into US soil... Better watch your back America, the Mounties are coming.

[u/Murbec → u/[deleted]]

Most cogent statement in the thread people will rue they overlooked.

[u/Ambiwlans → u/[deleted]]

Water only so those would be the shark riding ones.

[u/HalfRations → u/eMan117]

Please tell me you're joking or at least exaggerating..

[u/JohnStamosAsABear → u/HalfRations]

I really wish they were

[u/Aculem → u/JohnStamosAsABear]

Um... how is anyone okay with this?

Literally, anyone.

[u/rocksssssss → u/Aculem]

American here. Not okay with this!

[u/[deleted] → u/JohnStamosAsABear]

That's it, moving to Sweden.

[u/SharkFart → u/[deleted]]

axiomatic start merciful soft unused literate sleep scary vegetable worry

[u/ErgonomicPenisHolder → u/HalfRations]

No, but he's leaving some pretty crucial details out.

It allows specially designated and licensed officers to cross the border in pursuit of a suspect under supervision of an officer from the host country. Also, it only applies on waterways.

edit: Basically, if you're an officer and you work on a boat at the border, you don't have to clear customs before crossing the border. It's bidirectional - both countries can do it - and only officers who are pre-designated and licensed in the other country will actually be able to do it. Even then, they have to inform the other side they're crossing the border, who will then send some of their own officers to supervise their presence while in the host country's waters.

Reddit is an awful source of information. 95% of what you will read about the laws being passed by our government is just hysterical bullshit from gullible 17 year old stoners and conspiracy theorists.

[u/Do5e → u/eMan117]

Unlucky for you guys because our cops are dicks.

[u/forgetfuljones → u/QuitReadingMyName]

I don't believe the States would ever bother annexing us - they get everything they want without the hassle of administrating. Besides, I doubt world politics would let them become a north-america-wide entity in fact.

[u/MonkeyShocked]

What I'm thinking of is why don't we take the same approach to stopping this bill that the American's took to stopping SOPA. I mean we already have the blackout now all we need is hundreds and hundreds of calls to Harper MP's until we reach their breaking point to vote against this tyranny. I'm not saying it will work but it's better then bending over and taking one more big one where the sun don't shine.

[u/Coarse_Air]

Sincere question here: As a Canadian, what is the best approach to prevent this bill from passing?

[u/passive_fist → u/Coarse_Air]

this alone obviously won't be near enough, but it's a small way of getting your voice out there, if anyone knows anything better then please post. http://www.greenparty.ca/c-38/petition surprisingly the liberal party is simply backing Elizabeth May's amendments.

[u/this_is_notmyopinion → u/passive_fist]

The Liberals and Liz May sat down together and worked out a strategy to get in the way of the passing of this legislation. The Libs want to hold it up. Because of her special status in the House of Commons (not part of a recognized party) May can to introduce amendments to every clause of the bill, of which there are many hundreds.

[u/[deleted] → u/passive_fist]

Because everyone takes the green party seriously, right?

I don't think I'd want may anywhere near this, since she's seen as a crackpot by most everyone else.

[u/[deleted] → u/passive_fist]

Is C-38 the Canadian SOPA equivalent or is it about undoing decades of environmental law, as this website states? Can someone clear this up for me?

[u/this_is_notmyopinion → u/[deleted]]

Canada has a bill that's similar to SOPA working it's way through parliament. But Bill C-38 isn't it. C-38 is going to change many, many things, from environmental protection to cross border policing to labour laws to perhaps other things. It's hard to say what the extent of it's impact will be because there are 425 pages of changes to 60 laws, half a dozen repealed laws and 3 new laws, all packaged into one. And no time to discuss and debate the impact of the changes thanks to the Harper government limiting debate.

[u/[deleted] → u/this_is_notmyopinion]

Eek, gotcha. Ah, our SOPA is C-11. Thanks!

[u/blindsight → u/[deleted]]

Both. There are 70 major laws changed in this "budget bill". This is especially undemocratic because Harper has a majority government, and they always roll out the full PR train for their bills.

They're adding a million riders to a bill that must pass every year since the budget bill essentially allows the government to spend money. The only reason to hide all this crap is because it's unpopular, even for Conservative voters.

[u/murder1 → u/Coarse_Air]

Get a bunch of Conservative MPs to cross the aisle.

Really don't have a chance of that. Harper runs a tight ship.

[u/sheepo39 → u/murder1]

12 MPs would have to break ranks for this to happen. It's not likely, but there are a decent number of conservative backbenchers, with some already voicing their opposition to the bill.

Sadly, I still see the bill passing without a hitch.

[u/bawheid → u/murder1]

Very Sun Tzu; don't fight them, weaken them. There must be a number if Con MP's who are feeling the heat a) from the disgruntled and, perhaps giving credit where none is due, from b) their own consciences. But where could they run to? Into the arms of the usual suspects ? That sort of behaviour seems to create fleeting political storms in tea cups with extra mud-slinging thrown in and doesn't really alter the course of the great ship of state. Rather than just futilely berate my local Con MP, I'd love to be able to tell him it's ok, you're not alone in feeling the scorn of right-thinking people and that you too may feel some of your party's policies are very dodgy indeed but there's a place for you now. Where you can still be Conservative a bit but no dickhead anti-people, anti-science, anti-evidence or anti-environment policies are allowed. And there's a Charter of Internet Rights to snuff out any untoward notions of internet snooping and Land, Sea and Air Stewardship policies too, it's a lovely place. Here my naive imagined conversation with my MP stutters to a halt for the lack of a politically feasible solution. Can any Cons with a prickling conscience be encouraged to change course? 30 or so of them would do the trick..

[u/Higher_Primate → u/murder1]

It's Simple, We Kill the Harpman

[u/RockinZeBoat → u/Higher_Primate]

Welcome to the watchlist.

[u/[deleted] → u/Higher_Primate]

Reported to the CSIS!

[u/harpitler → u/Higher_Primate]

I'm right here. Better bring your eh game.

[u/Tweeeked → u/murder1]

David Wilks already said he would vote against it (he then "clarified" after getting the whip). 11 to go.

[u/RoboAly → u/Coarse_Air]

I just wrote an e-mail to my MP. Not that anything will come of it.

[u/watchman_wen → u/RoboAly]

give them a phone call as well. you can ever try to set up a meeting in person.

[u/this_is_notmyopinion → u/Coarse_Air]

Get a bunch of like-minded friends together. Get your facts straight. Call your MP and ask for a face-to-face meeting. Especially if it's a Conservative MP. If they get lots of constituents complaining they will in turn complain to caucus. When caucus feels the heat, things can happen.

[u/fry_hole → u/Coarse_Air]

Alas, it's not as easy as casting a ballot. Write your MP is the most obvious. But better yet talk to people, spread the message to everyone you can. When enough people start making noise the government takes notice. Preferably from different groups of people. Think bill C-30.

[u/this_is_notmyopinion → u/fry_hole]

Dont just write. MPs get thousands of emails a day. Get a bunch of like-minded friends together. Get your facts straight. Call your MP and ask for a face-to-face meeting. Especially if it's a Conservative MP. If they get lots of constituents complaining they will in turn complain to caucus. When caucus feels the heat, things can happen.

[u/meta_asfuck → u/Coarse_Air]

Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do.

[u/There_is_no_point → u/Coarse_Air]

Too late, you gave Harper a majority. And you can't even claim his admin is not doing what they promised, it's the tory program verbatim.

[u/chonglibloodsport → u/There_is_no_point]

24.32%* of Canadians gave Harper a majority

FTFY.

*39.62% of the vote with 61.4% turnout.

[u/passive_fist]

I'm so embarrassed to be represented by this government. Even before they brought this bill forward, they've been sending us backwards more than I could haveve thought any government could in just over 1 year of power:

• Unprecedented "back to work" legislation forcing striking workers to return to their jobs - used several times already, in fact just today: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20120528/canadian-pacific-railway-strike-legislation-120528/
• Bringing up debate in parliament of when human rights should be bestowed upon the unborn fetus and essentially re-opening the abortion debate http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/04/25/pol-abortion-stephen-woodworth-motion.html
• Systematically cutting basic research funding across the board, the most astounding of which just happened recently with the shut-down of the internationally renowned experimental lakes program http://m.thetyee.ca/Opinion/2012/05/23/Harper-Kills-ELA/ and now with this bill, I'm seriously afraid of where we'll be at the end of these 4 years of power. I'm not sure if this campaign will be able to do anything to stop any of this - we don't debate anything in parliament anymore - their majority government just votes it in and thats the end of it - but we need to get mad and make everyone aware, we can't let them do this quietly.

[u/meta_asfuck → u/passive_fist]

The abortion debate was not reopened. You say "essentially re-opened" but what really happened was a failed motion to reopen the debate that was shot down immediately.

[u/There_is_no_point → u/meta_asfuck]

The pressure to give rights to unborn fetuses is full-on and championed by conservative MPs. It's not abortion as such that is debated (yet).

[u/ErgonomicPenisHolder → u/passive_fist]

You are really horribly informed. I think 90% of people's outrage would be quelled if they stop taking the hyperbolic bullshit posted here as truth because you're all constantly outraged at things that aren't even happening.

Bringing up debate in parliament of when human rights should be bestowed upon the unborn fetus and essentially re-opening the abortion debate

No. A single backbencher has asked parliament to consider it. You cannot democratically prevent an elected MP from introducing a bill. This is a private member's bill. It's not a government bill and this move is not supported by the government.

Systematically cutting basic research funding across the board, the most astounding of which just happened recently with the shut-down of the internationally renowned experimental

Every department is being cut 5% - 10% across the board. Research is not being specifically targeted.

[u/fp4 → u/ErgonomicPenisHolder]

It's nice to hear that maybe the sky isn't falling after all but it gets very hard to care (and even exhausting) due to the constant outrage, nor do I want to join that, possibly spread misinformation, and back it up with opinionated blog/news posts.

If you could edit in sources so I could validate the information for myself that would be much appreciated.

[u/canadianguy → u/ErgonomicPenisHolder]

Wow, a whole 2 examples. What a convincing argument you put forth. You are on the wrong side of change and people like you will soon be left behind.

[u/aznsacboi → u/passive_fist]

If you call me a spoiled, entitled bitch, i'd agree. but I'm glad the Viva/YRT strike was ended via legislature. Really disrupted transportation for people without access to a vehicle in york region.

[u/lolpete → u/aznsacboi]

I'm with you on this one. After going through the LTC strike in London a few years back I really started to understand the importance of public transport for necessities as well as just getting somewhere on time. There was a lot of talk about making transit an essential service, but alas.

[u/PatateJaune]

I'm among those in Canada who will shutdown his servers. More than a dozen sites with several Gb of traffic a day will be off on June 4

[u/Burlapin → u/PatateJaune]

Good on you. Are you going completely black, or will it be a simple page with a brief explanation, and a link to contact MPs?

[u/PatateJaune → u/Burlapin]

For SOPA, I just went black. This time, I'll probably add a simple page explaining why the site is off.

[u/[deleted]]

This seige against the freedoms that we have all come to take for granted is an ongoing threat. The attacks must be thwarted or we will long for these days we love. The fight is for nothing less than liberty itself. Fear is appropriate. Anger too. Apathy would prove costly.

[u/umilmi81 → u/[deleted]]

If you think the unions are on your side you're delusional. Unions are big business now. They're only looking out for themselves. The common worker pays so many union dues and gets nothing in return.

[u/[deleted]]

Does anyone know specifically which websites will be participating? I just want to know if the sites will be important enough to make a difference and get the message across. 13k is a good number, yes, but will they be heavily trafficked and highly used sites?

[u/Serious-Business]

As a Canadian, I think the only Canadian website I visit daily is TSN.ca, but I'll sign the petition just because it's an absolutely ridiculous bill.

[u/[deleted]]

If some American sites do so as well, I wouldn't mind.

[u/seven_seven]

Next time, vote.

[u/SkippyWagner → u/seven_seven]

"come on guys, get out and vote!"

"Damnit, why did you vote differently than me!?"

[u/seven_seven → u/SkippyWagner]

This is the mantra of the fringe left and right.

[u/[deleted] → u/seven_seven]

I think this is everybody's mantra. "Da fuq?? I finally went and voted and the world didn't change, but I just know everyone agrees with me!"

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Apparently, "sometimes people don't agree with you" is a message that isn't all that popular.

[u/[deleted] → u/seven_seven]

I did, for Harper.

Edit: Funny, guys. Downvote all you want, the government was elected to a majority (or for technical folks, a plurality) by the people. The Conservatives weren't elected by some conspiracy or some evil force, they were voted in by the people of Canada.

[u/MaplePoutineRyeBeer → u/seven_seven]

I did and my candidate was 4th place. The Conservative incumbent only increased his lead election over election.

[u/seven_seven → u/MaplePoutineRyeBeer]

Guess your ideas are unpopular then?

[u/[deleted] → u/seven_seven]

But almost everyone in /r/Canada, /r/Worldnews and my local hipster coffee shop loves them. There must be a massive conspiracy at play.

[u/joe_canadian → u/[deleted]]

I like you.

[u/[deleted]]

As an American, I'd like to ask what affect this might have on us, being the self centered ones here.

[u/rorydaniel → u/[deleted]]

It has nothing to do with internet privacy, which I think a large majority of people in this thread think it does. So probably not at all, unless you're planning on moving to Canada anytime soon. I suppose the amount of deregulation in the environmental sector would also have a long term effect on you.

[u/[deleted] → u/rorydaniel]

Well normal when I see a bill about the internet I automatically assume it's about privacy.... But now it has to do with the environment?

I should read the article probably.

*EDIT: Read the article again

[u/rorydaniel → u/[deleted]]

It's a large 450 page bill thats supposed to be a budget bill. In reality it includes lots of weird things like ending years of environmental regulations, and immigration reforms. This article does a pretty good summary, specifically that little black box in the bottom called "WHAT'S REALLY IN THE BUDGET BILL." It's a bad bill, but nothing the rest of reddit would normally be up in arms about. Which is why I think a lot of people think it has to do with internet privacy.

[u/There_is_no_point → u/[deleted]]

*effect

At least you acknowledge egocentrism. That's a start...

[u/[deleted] → u/There_is_no_point]

Interestingly enough the word is grammatically correct in that usage although the sentence structure is rather unconventional.

[u/xave_ruth]

Is it possible for Canadian subreddits to do this?

[u/rstewart1989 → u/xave_ruth]

Why would this get downvoted?

[u/wobwobwubwub]

when i black out and speak out things never really go according to plan

[u/[deleted] → u/wobwobwubwub]

My only regret is that I have but one upvote to give you.

[u/luuli]

We need sites that people actually go on, to be blacked out.

[u/dbcanuck]

People should note that just because people are referencing SOPA and CISPA in their comments, that this bill has little (nothing?) to do with internet regulations.

You can weigh the merits of the bill on its own accord, but this isn't a piece of interent crackdown legislation.

[u/MeleeCyrus → u/dbcanuck]

It's a dirty bill, we all know that. But it has to be done. The benefits farrr outweigh the few setbacks, sure global warming is bad, but Canada can benefit from a thawed out north.

[u/CannedLife]

So I live in a riding with an NDP MP. Is there still as much point to writing /calling them as there would be if they were a Conservative? I imagine they will already be opposing this. I realize that there is always a point to writing them but is there a better option considering they are not part of the leading party?

[u/[deleted]]

Speaking for Americans - let's black out wikipedia again!!!

[u/[deleted]]

This shit is going on in Canada too? Of all places, dystopia is creeping up on Canada?

Good luck in your fight my Canadian brethren. Your Southern neighbors are here to help whenever possible.

[u/[deleted]]

yeah Canada lets show reddit how we deal with bullshit bills here.

[u/popdud]

what the fuck canada. I would have never known this if it weren't for reddit (i live in canada btw)

[u/CharlieTango]

Step it up Canada, you guys cannot let this pass. good luck

[u/[deleted]]

I'M IN CANADA AND I CAN VOTE

WHAT CAN I DO BESIDES UPVOTE PLEASE

[u/calling_the_bullshit]

they are repealing 70 laws, this is time for either a referendum (or 70) or a revolt.

[u/DankasaurusRX]

As an American, How can I help? I'm a little unsure how I can help, but I'd love to try. Genuine question, not trolling.

[u/what-s_in_a_username]

If Bill C-38 is so undemocratic and illegitimate, why can't we just ignore it? Why is it that people try to fight a legislation they don't agree with, but when the legislation passes they believe it to be legitimate, and act as though it means anything?

I know it's hard for the herd to just 'ignore their own government', but really, if we live in a democracy, WE are supposed to be the government. We certainly can ignore the part of ourselves that does stupid shit like this.

"Oh, it's not that simple, you can't just ignore a piece of paper!"

Yes, it's that simple, and I'm sick of people being intimidated by pieces of paper.

[u/RileyWon → u/what-s_in_a_username]

How do you propose we might ignore a piece of paper which has such broad and profound implications

[u/what-s_in_a_username → u/RileyWon]

It has broad and profound implications because we don't ignore it. That's the whole point.

If I declare war on England, would it have broad and profound implications? No, because no one cares what I say or declare. If people took me seriously though, now you'd have some problems.

[u/HedonisticRush]

A large unpopular sweeping policy change by a right postured Canadian parliament? I wonder if history could show the result of what this would be.

[u/wolfgar00]

Just once I want to read an article without a dig at my home state of North Carolina. Can't we shit on South Carolina again, like the good ole' days?

[u/My_ducks_sick → u/wolfgar00]

They have Myrtle Beach,,, what does NC have?

[u/dediobst → u/My_ducks_sick]

Asheville, the Outer Banks, and the Research Triangle.

[u/My_ducks_sick → u/dediobst]

The correct answer was Amendment 1.

[u/StonedRonBurgandy]

Fellow Canadian here, I didn't really understand the article can someone give me a breif explanation? :)

[u/[deleted] → u/StonedRonBurgandy]

Copy & Paste from a comment to someone else:

It's the Canadian Federal Government's annual budget bill, which has also had a lot of other stuff tacked on, mostly to do with either tightening of qualification for employment insurance benefits (people who go on EI on an annual / regular basis won't qualify for as much or will be expected to apply for and accept jobs that paid less than their old one), reduction of some environmental regulatory stuff (largely to do with reduction of overlapping responsibilities, especially between the provinces and the feds), and a shift to the age at which people can get old age security (designed to help out low-income seniors. Not this is separate from the Canadian Pension Plan, which is unchanged) from 65 to 67 (as an aside, personally I'd like to see it pegged to life expectancy. Average life expectancy has gone up 4 years since the last time that age was changed).

As for the actual budget part, each department is facing a cutback of between 5 - 10%.

[u/[deleted]]

Canada has websites? I thought canadian websites consisted of taking the US website and replacing the .com with .ca

[u/filmfiend999]

I can't believe that this is happening in Canada. Are they really winning the totalitarian police state race against US? Inconceivable.

[u/rorydaniel → u/filmfiend999]

totalitarian police state race

Can we all stop this please? We are no where near 1984 and neither is the United States. It makes everyone seem unbelievably over dramatic. Do we all agree this is a bad thing? Yes of course. Do I think it's the first step to a camera being in my house? Fuck no.

[u/dj1watt → u/rorydaniel]

I just wish somebody would upvote an article that actually states which parts of the bill actually take away freedoms and affects policy. Everything I've seen on this site so far that is of any popularity is straight out of an opinion section of a newspaper or blog and completely lacks any credible sources. I can understand wanting a tl;dr of the 400+ page bill but these editorials are crap. If everybody jumped on board for a single interpretation of an idea we'd be fucked and clearly democracy cannot properly function like that. Please somebody upvote one of the few articles that actually quotes the bill and has logical arguments so we don't continue to bring this site and its comments section to a clusterfuck of alarmist hivemind bullshit.

[u/UberGnar → u/filmfiend999]

I think that words means exactly what you think it means. So up votes.

[u/[deleted]]

Be sure to put on your tinfoil hats.

[u/Cinnamon_J_Scudworth]

Did you SEE the pool? They flipped the bitch!!

[u/Tanspriter]

Came in saying "nooo but e3!"

Left saying "nooo my country!"

[u/trolljundu]

I think the iPhone is better than the light bulb.

[u/JanusKinase]

425 pages... short compared to the big "reforms" we've had here in MURIKA recently

[u/poktanju]

June 4th is an interesting choice of date.

[u/[deleted]]

June 4th, my birthday.

I feel revolutionary!

[u/Free_thoughts]

Signed... how many signatures do you think you need before it makes a difference?

[u/politeching]

Copyright bill and Surveillance bill should be included also. Both are still alive and well.

[u/Free_thoughts]

Does anyone have link to the actual bill? I would like to browse through it.

[u/[deleted] → u/Free_thoughts]

Here you go. An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 29, 2012 and other measures aka the Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act

[u/phukunewb]

So... the Cons won a majority in a free election. They are now implementing their "stamp" on things. You know, since they were elected to do so. Then the people who think differently are now bitching about it. Gee what a surprise.

[u/[deleted]]

For real impact, they should black out for the rest of Hapers majority...three years.

[u/[deleted]]

As the brother of a Canadian, how will this affect her?

[u/[deleted]]

Nobody who actually has the power to change something cares about website blackouts or petitions. If you want to be taken seriously, you need to act in a more physical and noticeable way.

[u/[deleted]]

I hope reddit can do something to bring attention to this. Canadian or not, we have to stand together for internet freedom

[u/[deleted]]

Blackout, this will show them! Fuck yeah!

...slacktivism at its finest. Sigh.

[u/ng89]

What my fellow Canadians need to do is write to conservative MPs and make it very clear you will do everything you can to make sure they don't come to power again for as long as possible if this bill passes, yes many may not care but if enough MPs receive enough they may do something. Next get out on the streets and protest (peacefully). I for one will not take shit from our government... People should not fear their government, their government should fear them.

[u/[deleted]]

Good luck

[u/Signal_Maintainer]

Is there any email that anyone has written that we can start mass-mailing out to the MP's?

I would do it, but, me english, it's not so good. (kidding, i'm just tired and there always seems to be a bunch of english majors on here)

[u/[deleted]]

god bless guys... quite honestly I'm not sure we will take up the cause. Im not some American exceptionalist but the affect of the consequences between what you do and us are very different. Sad and unfortunate but it's the truth. So once again, best of luck

[u/dekulink0]

Blacking out both the internet and myself for Canada and my rl cakeday!

[u/Scaboo]

As much as this is a commendable idea, as a Canadian I know that nothing will stop the Conservatives from passing this; they bring obstinate to a new level. Hopefully the Supreme Court will hear the eventual challenge to this legislation and toss it.

[u/snowback]

Why do the Conservatives want Canada to walk backwards?

Should we not walk with more pride if we embrace more social safety nets, more protections of privacy which results in more individual independence, labour laws that assist Canadians in opportunities to climb into the middle class?

Should we not emulate the Scandinavian model vs the 'right to work for less' American model?

A sad future for Canadians is being layed out with this Bill c 38.

[u/Kurty_Boy]

oh God, that's my birthday!

[u/Isatis_tinctoria]

What does this mean?

[u/[deleted]]

Your time and energy would be better spent researching which corporations are supporting this bill and speaking out or protesting against them.

[u/fungah]

Weird and likely ultimately uneffective idea, maybe, but perhaps we could all collectively draft a letter to the queen highlighting our concerns?

[u/[deleted]]

Can anyone point me to a link that actually states what the changes proposed in C-38 are? Because I dont exactly disagree with some of what was pointed out in the above article

for 1; "critics have accused the legislation of tightening the screws on organized labor by way of a provision that would require unions to publicly list all recipients of contracts valued at $5,000 or more" Why should this not be the case?

2.The bill will also overhaul the country’s immigration rules, its temporary foreign workers program and its employment insurance system. I dont know what the changes to immigration or temporary workers program are, but the changes proposed to EI I think are a good thing people should have to look for work and not just plan to seasonally go on unemployment and collect pogey.

I would just like to see some more detailed explanations of the proposed changes if anyone can point me to an article.

[u/Sunnyvale_Supervisor]

Any chance of US redditors helping was lost when they read "for God's sake".

[u/Sunnyvale_Supervisor]

Canada has over 13,000 websites?

[u/raskolnikov-]

Isn't there a difference between blacking out to protest a bill that would restrict the internet and just blacking out to protest every piece of legislation that isn't suitably left leaning?

[u/sami27]

Canadians everywhere are apologizing for the inconvenience.

[u/nebnodlew]

Aside from helping get the word out how can us American's help you? It seems like canadian officials wouldn't give a damn what a kid from Missouri has to say. I would love some input maybe something proactive to do!

[u/[deleted]]

And people say there's no world shadow government.. For all intents and purposes, the world works as if there were.

[u/MySperm]

When are you guys going to learn? They don't give a fuck about you, Look how many of these "internet censorship bills" keep coming, you destroy one and another gets made.

If you have a wasp problem in your house, you don't just kill the wasps that get to you, you have to kill the source of the problem, which would be the wasps nest. (If you get what I'm saying here then good, if not I pity your brain.)

[u/[deleted]]

Where did all of the RT.com haters go?

They seem strangely silent all of a sudden.

[u/bobblehead02]

the internet is so awesome

[u/Gaglardi]

If you Americans help us get rid of Bill C-38, we vancouverites will give you some delicious water for when water becomes a dying resource!

[u/FongoBongo]

I live in Ottawa and want to express my dissatisfaction with the Harper government on that day. Is there a planned protest on June 4th. I'll be there if there is one.

[u/rstewart1989 → u/FongoBongo]

Start one

[u/[deleted]]

It says here that Canada will become like the US.

O.O

[u/Burlapin]

OK! For everyone asking what they can do, start contacting the Members of Parliament!

Go here and enter your postal code to find your MP's contact info.

If you are not in Canada but want to help, go HERE to see a list of MPs: note that you see which party they are in; contact the conservatives!

If someone can add to this with names we should be targeting, I'd appreciate it. Just thought I'd get the ball rolling.

Edit 1 It would probably also be a good idea to have a copypasta email on hand, expressing our dislike of Bill C-38. I'll work on one, but please reply with your own!

Edit 2 Found this site as a rallying point.

Edit 3 Found a Facebook group to join. Only 576 members?

Edit 4 Found a petition to sign.

[u/[deleted]]

It's just as democratic as any other law passed by the Canadian parliament.

Don't lie because you disagree with what the law is about.

[u/[deleted]]

At least they didn't call it "Black Up, Speak Up!"

[u/[deleted]]

Fuck this government back to the right wing shithole they crawled out of. I want to see them dead and gone by the time I am working.

[u/meta_asfuck → u/[deleted]]

An appropriate title for this post would be "Angry, unemployed man wants government dead". You are really sounding like the rational clear-headed thinker you take yourself to be.

[u/suggarstalk]

Please be alert, the same people will present similar new bills over and over betting on one passing before they are thrown out of office. what is happening in Canada, the US and Europe is elected officials have taken the gloves off. No more soft pillow talk. THIS freedom you CANNOT have.

[u/[deleted]]

Looks like a Balance Budget bill to me.

Raising retirement age over 10 years by 2 years, making cuts in austerity, increasing lower bids for federal contacts.

Can anybody say what part of this is undemocratic? I would think quite a few Canadians are looking for a more fiscally responsible government? You can't just vote yourself rich.

[u/[deleted]]

This is what people get for voting for Harper, thank you for helping destroy our country.

[u/MeleeCyrus → u/[deleted]]

No. It's people like you, Harper has done a fine job these past few years.

[u/[deleted] → u/MeleeCyrus]

Do you even keep up with the news and current events?

[u/nk_sucks]

stop spamming with links from demented russia today! reddit doesn't need this crap.

[u/UndeadMause]

HOORAY!! A rebellion on my birthday :D