Skip to content

Feds propose changes to Broadcasting Act that may raise $800-million from streamers

Ottawa is proposing new policy changes — with monetary penalties — to ensure online streaming platforms experiencing booming revenues face as stringent rules as traditional broadcasters.
20201103111144-5fa1892d53b812012b55cdbdjpeg
Minister of Canadian Heritage Steven Guilbeault watches a speaker via videoconference during a news conference in Ottawa, Friday, April 17, 2020. The federal government is proposing new policy changes — with monetary penalties — to ensure online streaming platforms experiencing booming revenues face as stringent regulations as traditional broadcasters, which have seen profits decline in recent years THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Ottawa is proposing new policy changes — with monetary penalties — to ensure online streaming platforms experiencing booming revenues face as stringent rules as traditional broadcasters.

The regulations put forth by the Liberal government today in a new bill focus on clarifying that online streaming platforms like Netflix and Spotify will fall under the Broadcasting Act through a new category called online undertakings.

The bill also proposes giving the CRTC new powers to require broadcasters and online streaming companies make financial contributions to support Canadian music, stories, creators and producers.

A government briefing note says if the CRTC applies the same requirements around Canadian content to traditional broadcaster and streamers, online platforms could contribute as much as $830 million in Canadian content by 2023.

The briefing note says the bill could result in the government asking the CRTC to look at which online broadcasters should be regulated and determine whether it is a good idea to give additional regulatory credits to broadcasters producing works about Indigenous peoples, racial communities or in French.

The briefing note says the CRTC may also be ordered to look into what qualifies as Canadian content and whether that definition takes into account ta credits or intellectual property.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 3, 2020.

The Canadian Press

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks