Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act, is approved

by SaskMusic

May 2, 2023 in Industry News

SaskMusic applauds the passage of Bill C-11, a long-overdue update to Canada’s streaming policies.

The Government of Canada has passed Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act, through Parliament after which it has received Royal Assent.

The bill modernizes Canada’s Broadcasting Act, requiring (largely foreign-owned) streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, Spotify and others to intentionally support Canadian-made content like music, TV shows, and film in a similar way that traditional broadcasters are already required to, including contributing financially to the production of Canadian content.

The bill’s application excludes the posts of individual content creators, and doesn’t force Canadian content choices upon consumers, but instead will strengthen the promotion and creation of more Canadian-made content. A growing number of countries have similar legislation to promote and support their local creators.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) will now develop the regulations that will apply to each streaming service under its jurisdiction.

This article from Canadian Musician summarizes it well. 

Learn more:

Government of Canada Release

“This new law will help ensure Canadian stories and music are widely available on streaming platforms, and will help to reinvest in future generations of artists and creators in Canada.

The Online Streaming Act requires streaming services to contribute to the creation, production and distribution of Canadian stories in a way that is flexible and fair. The law will give Canadians more opportunities to see themselves in what they watch and hear, under a new framework that will lead to a modern definition of Canadian Content that better reflects our country’s diversity. Canadian artists, producers, creators, and our cultural industry can now count on a fair shot at success in the digital age.

This is the first major reform to the Broadcasting Act since 1991. The Act aims to level the playing field and support Canadian creators and storytellers by increasing investment in Canadian culture and supporting jobs in the industry, while ensuring that Canadian culture continues to be shared with generations to come.”

Senate of Canada

 

Read Statements from:

Canadian Independent Music Association

Songwriters Association of Canada

SOCAN

Coalition For The Diversity Of Cultural Expressions

Community Radio Fund of Canada

Canadian Media Producers Association

 

 

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