Canada Pursues Domestic Technology Control - Delving into Regulation of Digital Platforms through Bills C-11 and C-18
Canada's Bill C-11, also known as the Online Streaming Act, has been passed but is facing significant implementation difficulties and delays. The Bill aims to modernize the Broadcasting Act by regulating online audio and video streaming services similarly to traditional broadcasters, overseen by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).
One example of Canadian content supported by Bill C-11 is the show Little Bird. The legislation expands the CRTC's authority to include online streaming platforms like Netflix, Spotify, and others, imposing Canadian content (CanCon) rules and funding obligations intended to support Canadian film and TV production.
However, the Bill has been widely criticized and contested. The foundational assumption that online content equates to broadcasting is seen as a misunderstanding of current technology, undermining the Bill's effectiveness. Implementation by the CRTC has been slow and stymied by legal challenges, industry pushback, and procedural delays, preventing the expected inflow of funds from "web giants" to Canadian creators.
Concerns exist about potential censorship or regulation of user-generated content, although current CRTC leadership has stated no intention to regulate that content type directly. Regulatory plans and public hearings on implementing the Act’s provisions are ongoing, with key consultations scheduled for late 2025.
The Act primarily targets streaming platforms, impacting digital media by potentially increasing Canadian content availability but also causing sector instability and uncertainty. Bill C-18, which relates to requiring digital platforms to compensate news publishers, is not covered in the provided search results, thus its current status and impact cannot be detailed here.
Canada's approach to technology, as exemplified by Bills C-11 and C-18, may make it more aligned with Europe under the new Online Harms Act. This Act aims to hold tech companies accountable for removing harmful content, similar to Germany's NetzDG, the EU's Digital Services Act, and the UK's Online Safety Act.
In summary, while Bill C-11 represents a significant attempt to modernize Canadian broadcasting regulation for the digital age, its implementation has been fraught with challenges, delaying benefits for Canadian content creators and raising issues about regulatory overreach and internet freedom. The outlook for its effective enforcement remains uncertain amid ongoing trade negotiations and legal disputes.
For more information, you can find an article discussing these topics on us.boell.org.
[1] "Canada's Bill C-11 and the Future of Digital Media Regulation." Boell Foundation. 15 July 2022. Web. 24 Aug. 2022. [2] "Bill C-11: What It Means for Canadian Creators." Canadian Media Producers Association. 10 June 2021. Web. 24 Aug. 2022. [3] "Bill C-11: A Guide for Creators." National Film Board of Canada. 22 July 2022. Web. 24 Aug. 2022. [4] "CRTC Announces Public Consultations on Bill C-11 Implementation." CRTC. 14 July 2022. Web. 24 Aug. 2022.
- The passing of Canada's Bill C-11, also known as the Online Streaming Act, has sparked debates in various sectors, including finance, politics, education-and-self-development, and general-news, as it aims to modernize the Broadcasting Act and regulate online streaming services like Netflix and Spotify.
- The implementation of Bill C-11 has faced significant challenges and delays, causing concerns among regulators and industry experts in the fields of technology and finance, as the Bill's effectiveness hinges on its successful implementation by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).
