It has now been one week since Industry Minister Jim Prentice unveiled Bill C-61. While the bill yielded the predictable voices of immediate support from lobby groups anxious to import the DMCA to Canada, it did not take long for the government's communication strategy to go off-the-rails (a none-too-impressive performance by Prentice at the press conference did not help). By virtually any standard, it has not been a good week for a minister who is often described in glowing terms as future leadership material. The media coverage has nearly universally criticized the legislation. A sampling of masthead editorials include:

Further, the online anger has surely exceeded the Minister's expectations:

The response from Industry Minister Jim Prentice? Letters to the editor that repeat already-tired spin about the bill being a "made in Canada" solution or an appearance on the CBC's Search Engine where he dodges questions and hangs up on the interviewer. Yet no one should rest on their laurels as powerful groups will fight to defend the Canadian DMCA. Letters, meetings, local events, and raising awareness remains absolutely critical. To that end, next week I'll be kicking off another series – 61 Flaws in Bill C-61. Each weekday from June 23rd until September 15th (the day the House of Commons is currently scheduled to resume), I'll point to a reason why Canadians should reject the bill and demand better.