CRTC kicks off CanCon hearing as big streamers cancel appearances

A television remote control shows buttons to access streaming services in a photo illustration made in Toronto on Friday, March 22, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini

OTTAWA — The CRTC launched a hearing on drafting a new definition for Canadian content Wednesday, but three big American streaming companies dropped off the schedule at the last minute.

The Motion Picture Association-Canada, which represents a number of big streaming companies, including Netflix and Paramount, rescheduled its appearance to Friday instead.

The two-week CRTC hearing on Canadian content is part of the agency’s implementation of the Online Streaming Act, which updated broadcasting laws to capture online platforms.

A number of large global streaming services are fighting in court an earlier directive the CRTC issued under the act requiring them to contribute money to Canada’s broadcast sector.

In written submissions in January, groups representing U.S. businesses and big tech companies warned the CRTC that its efforts to modernize Canadian content rules could worsen trade relations with the United States.

Foreign streamers have pointed to their existing spending in Canada in response to calls to bring them into the regulated system. Netflix, for instance, told the CRTC in written submissions to the CanCon proceeding that it had invested more than $5 billion in production in Canada in the past five years.

In early May, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 100 per cent tariffs on movies made outside of the United States.

The CRTC did not state the reason for the last-minute scheduling change. A spokesperson for Netflix did not answer when asked why the company cancelled its appearance, referring questions to MPA-Canada.

On Wednesday morning, a group representing Canadian broadcasters at the CRTC hearing took aim at foreign streamers.

“Foreign players have taken a significant market share of our audiences, advertising, and subscribers. Any opportunities for growth in any of these areas by Canadian broadcasters and media have been undermined by the massive influx of these global players,” said Kevin Desjardins, president of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters.

He accused the foreign players of funnelling “billions of Canadian dollars out of our system and out of our economy.”

“As should be clear from recent statements on the world stage, none of the previous investments in foreign productions by these foreign media giants can be assumed in their plans going forward,” he said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2025.

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press