{"id":24209,"date":"2023-05-07T10:26:47","date_gmt":"2023-05-07T17:26:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/?p=24209"},"modified":"2024-01-27T10:43:03","modified_gmt":"2024-01-27T18:43:03","slug":"canada-online-streaming-act-c-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/canada-online-streaming-act-c-11\/","title":{"rendered":"What is C-11? Canada\u2019s Online Streaming Bill Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Canadians can choose which team to root for at the hockey game, but they won\u2019t have much choice over what content they can watch online<\/strong> thanks to the country\u2019s C-11 Bill. Citizens will feel a noticeable push toward Canadian content on streaming services and media platforms \u2014 the risk of losing access to unfiltered media is very real.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Widespread control over the amount of Canadian content on radio and television has existed for decades. The country even has a rating system to determine how Canadian content is, but why extend that reach to the online media and streaming services? Find out when we take an inside look at the purpose behind C-11, concerns about the bill, and the devastating effect it could have<\/strong> on content creators, companies, and Canadian citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Table of Contents<\/h4>\nThe Purpose of C-11<\/a>
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Background: Canadian Broadcasting Act<\/a><\/section>\nWhy C-11 Is Controversial<\/a>
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Is C-11 Live? What Are the Punishments for Non-Compliance?<\/a><\/section>\n Canadians Should Prepare for An Epic Backlash<\/a>
\n Avoid C-11 Restrictions<\/a>
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The Purpose of C-11<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Officially, C-11 is another step in the Canadian government\u2019s goal to encourage citizens to watch, listen to, and promote online media showcasing local artists over international artists. The Act requires streaming services<\/strong> and several other forms of online video platforms operating in Canada, to promote and recommend Canadian content to citizens<\/strong> who use the service. Streaming services should also promote and recommend content in both of Canada\u2019s official languages, English and French, as well as Indigenous languages.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This amendment to the Broadcasting Act gives the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) the authority to regulate streaming platforms \u2014 but there\u2019s more. The CRTC\u2019s authority also extends to services like YouTube, TikTok, Spotify, and other popular platforms. Essentially, the CRTC can force platforms to support and promote Canadian content<\/strong> to their viewers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Background: Canadian Broadcasting Act<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Under the Broadcasting Act the CRTC already sets requirements for the amount of Canadian content TV stations must air. Canadian Broadcasters are also required to put a bare minimum of 30% of their revenue toward producing new Canadian content.<\/p>\n

Radio stations need to follow guidelines set forth by the Music, Artist, Performance, and Lyrics (MAPL) system. At its core, MAPL determines which music qualifies as Canadian enough to get preference. The system assigns points to songs based-on the nationality of the singer, producer, lyricist, and more. Based on the point system, airtime is awarded to artists that are predominantly Canadian from the singer to their behind-the-scenes squad.<\/p>\n

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Promoting Canadian content is an admirable cause, but the level of control it gives the government over what content views can watch is alarming<\/strong> to tech giants, video services, and online freedom advocates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why C-11 Is Controversial<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Canadians have major concerns about how C-11 will change the way they view and use streaming services and other media platforms<\/strong> like YouTube or Facebook. They have a right to be concerned, the guidelines of the new law are fairly strict but very poorly defined.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The language used leaves room for the CRTC to interpret the meaning of some of the guidelines and requirements to fit their goal<\/strong> of promoting predominantly Canadian content. To be honest, it poses a slew of potential human rights issues. Below you\u2019ll find a few of the main concerns it\u2019s creating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n