[1] Originally named the "Canadian Songwriters Association", the primary objectives were to give a voice to lyricists and composers within Canada's music and broadcasting industries, and to provide input into the copyright reforms that were happening at the time in Ottawa.
An honorary board was assembled that included Paul Anka, Geddy Lee, Tom Cochrane and Robbie Robertson.
The SAC made news in late 2007 when they released a proposal to monetize file sharing in Canada by setting up a collection agency to distribute royalties to artists and songwriters (much like what is done on the radio).
[citation needed] The Canadian Music Creators Coalition, on the other hand, called the proposal "forward thinking.
"[5] The proposal received much criticism from technology experts as a "music tax," since it calls for a mandatory license for everyone connected to the Internet, rather than an opt-in voluntary system.