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CBC
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
Why SOCAN is suing a Quebec City music festival for copyright infringement
Social Sharing The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) is suing Quebec City's Festival d'Été de Québec (FEQ) music festival for copyright. In the lawsuit, which was first reported by The National Post, SOCAN says the festival infringed copyright by performing or authorizing the performance of musical works under its repertoire, without a license and without paying the royalties, in 2022, 2023 and 2024. The FEQ is among the biggest outdoor festivals in Canada. Every year, the 11-day event gathers a star-studded lineup of artists with some shows drawing 90,000 people each night in Quebec City. But this year, on its first day on July 3, FEQ was hit with a lawsuit from SOCAN, which represents over 200,000 Canadian music writers, composers and publishers. The FEQ argued that its charitable status means it doesn't have to pay the fees. But experts in copyright law say it's not a strong defence. What does SOCAN want? Music composers, authors and publishers hold copyrights over their works and have the right to license the use of their music to those who want to play or perform them. SOCAN grants licenses and collects royalties on their behalf. Instead of paying these artists the fees directly, those playing the music can cut the check to SOCAN, who will redistribute the funds. Any public venue playing music has to pay royalty and licensing fees to SOCAN, whether it's a restaurant, bar or festival. But, SOCAN says the FEQ has been avoiding paying their fees by claiming that their charity status exempts them from doing so. It's an argument they've been using for a while, said Alexandre Alonso, SOCAN's director of Quebec affairs. He didn't specify if the festival had been avoiding payment for more than three years, stating SOCAN couldn't comment on the FEQ's actions beyond what is in the statement of claim. What SOCAN is asking from the festival is "simple," Alonso said, adding that SOCAN doesn't accept the FEQ's argument. "They are paying everybody, the vendors, the technicians, the artists on stage, but they don't pay the license fees," he said. He said SOCAN is open to negotiating with the festival outside the courts. "If they want to come and have that conversation and find a solution for the payment, we are still open," he said. No specific amount of money is claimed in the lawsuit. Alonso says it should equal three per cent of the festival's revenue for paid events or three per cent of the artist performance fee for free events. It's information that the FEQ hasn't disclosed to SOCAN, he says, making it impossible to estimate the amount they could be owed. CBC News reached out to the FEQ about prior exchanges with SOCAN on this issue. In an emailed statement, they declined to comment. How common is this? SOCAN enforcing copyright laws is nothing new. The organization often does so for smaller venues, including restaurants and theatres, says Madeleine Lamothe-Samson, a lawyer specializing in copyright law. "What's new is that SOCAN is now suing some very well known festival," she said. Compared to those who run local restaurants, and who might be unaware of the intricacies of licensing and royalty fees, she says music festivals ought to know their obligations. In 2022, SOCAN successfully sued a local restaurant in Alberta for copyright infringement and was entitled to nearly $150,000. In 2019, it sued another restaurant for just under $25,000. What is the FEQ's claim? In a statement sent to Radio-Canada on Friday, the festival has denied any wrongdoing. It maintains it was well within its right as a registered charity. The festival, also known as the Festival d'Été International de Québec (FEIQ), has been a registered charity since 1974. By virtue of its mission and legal status, the festival claims it is exempt under the Copyright Act from the payment of royalties to authors, composers and publishers. Copyright lawyer, Madeleine Lamothe-Samson, says this claim has no merit. "It's irrelevant. You still pay your electricity bill if you're a charity, you've got to pay," she said. "They know they don't have any argument," said Ysolde Gendreau, professor of law at the Université de Montréal (UdeM) specializing in copyright law. She added that the festival is likely using a common tactic: "They probably say 'I won't bother [to pay] and eventually if they really mean something, they'll sue me,'" she said. What's next? Lamothe-Samson sees a straightforward resolution to this case, suspecting it will not proceed to trial and will instead be settled before the next edition of the festival. Gendreau agrees with this outcome, but also sees the lawsuit as a potential "warning" to other venues who aren't paying SOCAN. "If the user does not want to pay, then it cannot play the music," she said.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Quebec City area pummelled with 75 mm of rain in less than two hours on Thursday
Cars drive through water during a downpour in Montreal on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. On July 17, Quebec City had to close several streets that had become impassable due to water accumulation. **THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes** Up to 75 millimetres of rain fell over two hours in parts of the Quebec City area on Thursday when severe thunderstorms swept across southern Quebec. Environment Canada says the storms caused flash floods that inundated streets in the region, forcing about 15 people from their homes. Torrential rain led officials to close numerous streets in Quebec City's historic district, as well as the Cap-Blanc staircase, a popular tourist attraction. In total, Quebec City's Ste-Foy neighbourhood received 84 mm of rain. Across the St. Lawrence River in Lévis, Que., 76 mm of rail fell. Elsewhere in southern Quebec strong winds damaged trees and triggered power outages, particularly in the Montérégie region. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2025.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Quebec City area pummelled with 75 mms of rain in less than two hours on Thursday
Cars drive through water during a downpour in Montreal on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. On July 17, Quebec City had to close several streets that had become impassable due to water accumulation. **THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes** Up to 75 millimetres of rain fell over two hours in parts of the Quebec City area on Thursday when severe thunderstorms swept across southern Quebec. Environment Canada says the storms caused flash floods that inundated streets in the region, forcing about 15 people from their homes. Torrential rain led officials to close numerous streets in Quebec City's historic district, as well as the Cap-Blanc staircase, a popular tourist attraction. In total, Quebec City's Ste-Foy neighbourhood received 84 mm of rain. Across the St. Lawrence River in Lévis, Que., 76 mm of rail fell. Elsewhere in southern Quebec strong winds damaged trees and triggered power outages, particularly in the Montérégie region. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2025.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Pascan adds new flight from Saint John to Québec City
Passengers check in for a flight with Pascan Aviation in Halifax. (Jonathan MacInnis/CTV Atlantic) Pascan Aviation has announced it is adding direct flights between Saint John, N.B., and Québec City. The Saint John Airport says the route will be convenient for people travelling for business or pleasure. 'Pascan has shown a genuine willingness to listen to our market,' said Lori Carle, manager of marketing, public and corporate relations with the airport, in a news release. 'By adjusting flight times and adding new destinations like Québec City, they're proving they want to make regional air service work for Saint John—and for our passengers.' The airport adds the route will eliminate lengthy drives or connections for New Brunswickers looking to explore more of Eastern Canada. Earlier this month, Pascan announced it would be ending its route between Halifax and Sydney, N.S., effective July 20. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Québec Solidaire housing critic launches petition to change rent hike formula
Quebec Solidaire MNA Andres Fontecilla questions the government during question period, Thursday, September 28, 2023 at the legislature in Quebec City. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press) Three months after Quebec Housing Minister France-Élaine Duranceau announced she was altering the formula used to calculate rent hikes, Québec Solidaire (QS)'s Andrès Fontecilla launched a petition to change it again. Calculations have shown that though the new method would have led to a slightly lower average rent increase this year, it would be a bit higher in subsequent years. The new proposed regulation bases rent increases on a base percentage, the consumer price index, variation in municipal and school taxes, insurance costs and capital expenditures. Though landlord associations said they were pleased with the changes, tenants and advocates have pointed out that the formula will allow for even higher rent increases. Quebec's housing tribunal predicted the average rent increase this year would be 5.9 per cent, an all-time high. Fontecilla stresses that the number will be the 'minimum' as 'many, many landlords will have an even higher increase.' The new rent hike formula will 'take money out of renters' pockets and into the pockets of landlords,' said Fontecilla. READ MORE: Quebec is changing how rent increases will be calculated after hikes hit historic high His petition, which garnered over 5,200 signatures in just a few days, says 'the use of the overall CPI as the main criterion for increases does not adequately reflect the specific costs associated with the operation of rental properties and maintains the influence of market fluctuations in the calculation of increases.' It also points out that the draft regulation does not protect access to housing or provide rent caps. Those signing the petition are urging MNAs to reject the current draft regulation, develop a new one aimed at genuine rent control based on operating expenses, and introduce an absolute cap on yearly rent hikes. The petition also calls for the creation of a public rent registry, accessible free of charge, allowing tenants to view the history of rents and major renovations, and a rent freeze until a 'new, fair regulation' comes into effect. A spokesperson for Duranceau's office said the current calculation formula had been in use for 40 years and needed to change as it was complicated to understand for both landlords and tenants. Duranceau said the new method, which she said is a 'balanced proposal,' will be more predictable, easier to understand and will lead to fewer cases before the housing tribunal. 'The goal is to maintain balance by offering more predictability for both tenants and landlords. By using the average CPI over the last three years, we avoid large variations. And it is easier to understand,' she said in an email. But Fontecilla accused Duranceau of protecting the interests of landlords to the 'systematic' detriment of renters, who make up 40 per cent of Quebec's population. About 63 per cent of Montrealers rent. 'It even rewards bad landlords because even if there will be an automatic increase for them even if they did absolutely nothing for the building and let it degrade,' he told CTV News. He added he hopes every renter in the province will sign the petition to put pressure on Duranceau to rethink the method and to put in place better rent control measures. Fontecilla said a new method should be more balanced, reward landlords who improve their dwellings and that will help reduce pressure on renters. 'The main issue at the heart of the housing crisis is that rents are increasing too much too quickly and it's impoverishing tenants,' he said. Meanwhile, landlords have been complaining about losing money due to Quebec's rent regulations. But Fontecilla pushed back, saying the real-estate business has never been so profitable and there 'must be an end to speculative activity.' Fontecilla hopes to bring the petition to the National Assembly at the beginning of the next session in September.
