During the 2006 federal election, Bulte was criticized by law professor Michael Geist, historian Jack Granatstein among others. The criticism centred on the perception of a conflict of interest relating to her position as "one of the leading people on copyright policy, possibly even the future Canadian heritage minister" and her stance in favour of stricter digital copyright laws in the face of campaign contributions to her riding association from Canadian and American entertainment industries, artists, musicians and others with interests in copyright ownership. All of the contributions were well within the legal limits set by Elections Canada and Bulte stated the total donations by companies, trade unions and individuals with interest in stricter digital domain copyright rules represented approximately 10% of donations to her riding association. Adding to the controversy, in January, 2006 a $250-a-plate fund raiser was hosted for her by lobbyists from the film, music and video game industries.