Ottawa leans toward Amazon plan

[CHIMO]

The Harper government is leaning toward allowing Internet bookseller Amazon.com to set up a warehouse and shipping centre in Canada, a senior official says, based on the belief the U.S. firm's entrance would offer a “net benefit” for Canadians.

The official said the move would be in keeping with the March 3 Throne Speech which trumpeted the virtues of opening markets to more foreign competition and investment.

“Look at the Speech from the Throne: it's anti-protectionist. It's free and open trade.”

The official cautioned against assuming Ottawa has made up its mind, saying Amazon's proposal will still have to go through a review process and no final decision has been made.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/ottawa-weighs-net-benefit-of-allowing-amazon-to-set-up-shop/article1495711/

I highly doubt it. That is unless they are going to buy Chapters are a high price.

Who knows how the wheels turn?

[tuvor]

1. I've bought from amazon.com as opposed to amazon.ca over the years...

and have realized significantly better prices as a result. I'm curious to know if/how that would be affected.

[CHIMO]

2. Don't Know

But back when our dollar was higher, I looked at the price for Microsoft office on both sites. And guess what? The Canadian site was about 75% more expensive than the com site. Next time I need to move from Office 2003 to something higher it will be to Open Office for me.

I think that this involves more than the internet purchases. It seems like it is the removal of Canadian content for books etc... Perhaps some posters could fill us in on the full ramifications.

[Posteritatis]

4. I'd imagine part of the point of such a move is to "fix" that. (nt)

[CHIMO]

3. Geist: Laying bare the divide over future of book industry

Late this summer, as thousands of Canadians were playing with their coveted new Apple iPads, the government quietly disclosed that it was conducting a regulatory review of Apple and its entry into the electronic book market.

The review caught many by surprise, with some left wondering why any government intervention was needed for another offering in the popular iTunes store.

The answer lies in Canada’s longstanding cultural policy and the significant protections it establishes over the publication, distribution and sale of books. These include restrictions on foreign entry into the Canadian marketplace that reserve majority ownership for Canadians on the premise that an open market would hamper the ability of Canadian authors, publishers and booksellers to compete.

Those cultural policies are part of a major government consultation that comes amid signals that Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore may be open to relaxing those policies as online sellers and electronic books shake up the marketplace.

http://www.thestar.com/news/sciencetech/technology/lawbytes/article/879267--geist-laying-bare-the-divide-over-future-of-book-industry