OTTAWA — The federal government announced Tuesday Justice Luc Martineau (above) has been appointed as chair of the Copyright Board of Canada. The announcement was made by Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Navdeep Bains.
Martineau’s five-year appointment as chair was effective October 2. In his new role, he will “help further realize reforms to the Board and eliminate backlogs in decision making to ensure a transparent and predictable marketplace,” reads the government’s press release.
Martineau was a lawyer for 24 years, eventually establishing his own firm in 1996, before being appointed judge of the Federal Court of Canada and member of the Court of Appeal in January 2002. In April 2002, he was named judge of the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada. In 2007, he was appointed as a member of the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Tribunal, serving as the tribunal’s president from 2010 to 2014.
Departing chair Justice Robert A. Blair “was instrumental in initiating the modernization of the Copyright Board following amendments to the Copyright Act in 2018. His service to the markets overseen by the Board has been of great value,” says the press release.
“A well-resourced Copyright Board fulfills an important economic and cultural function for Canadians. We welcome Justice Martineau in his new role and look forward to the important contribution he will make towards the Board’s revitalization. We also thank departing chair Justice Blair for his work over the last five years,” said Minister Bains in the release.
“As Canadians, we understand that telling our stories from a uniquely Canadian perspective and ensuring the protection of our content is key to healthy Canadian democracy and culture. I would like to congratulate Justice Martineau on his new role. I would also like to thank Justice Blair for his contribution during his mandate with the Copyright Board,” adds Canadian Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Photo from the Federal Court of Canada website.
