Imagine settling in for your next binge session only to discover that the definition of “Canadian content” might be shifting under your feet—thanks to streaming giants like Netflix eyeing their own slice of the Canadian pie.
Canadian content—affectionately known as CanCon—has always been about more than just ticking boxes on regulatory forms. It’s about ensuring that Canadian stories, voices, and experiences don’t get drowned out by the massive wave of American media flowing north. For decades, broadcasters have had to meet clear requirements: a show counts as CanCon if it’s produced by a Canadian, passes a points system for creative roles, and spends the majority of its production budget domestically.
But the arrival of global streaming services disrupted this tidy framework. Netflix, Disney+, and their cohort quickly became household mainstays, offering endless choice but little guarantee of Canadian content visibility. Unlike traditional broadcasters, these platforms weren’t bound by the same CanCon rules. That all began to change with the introduction of Canada’s Online Streaming Act, which now calls for foreign streamers earning more than $25 million in the country to contribute five percent of their revenue to homegrown production. Suddenly, the playing field is less tilted, at least on paper.
Still, the real battle is over what qualifies as Canadian content. The CRTC’s current point system—requiring a mix of Canadian talent in key creative roles—hasn’t kept up with the realities of the modern industry. At recent public hearings, industry heavyweights and streamers debated whether the rules should become more flexible or even stricter. The Directors Guild of Canada worries about Canadian stories losing ground, while streamers, represented by the Motion Picture Association of Canada, argue for “meaningful flexibility” to reflect today’s globalized production landscape.
For viewers, this may all seem abstract until their favourite show is suddenly missing or unrecognizable. For creators, it’s about survival and visibility in a digital age where algorithms, not just regulations, decide what gets seen. The outcome of these regulatory debates won’t just affect policy wonks in Gatineau; they’ll shape the next generation of Canadian creativity on every screen.
As the CRTC continues its consultations and the streaming giants make their case, the future of CanCon—and the visibility of Canadian voices—hangs in the balance. Stay tuned; the story of what it means to be Canadian content is far from over.
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Is your favourite show CanCon enough? Here’s why the definition of Canadian content may get a reboot
