U.S. congressman introduces bill targeting Online Streaming Act

Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-Pa., speaks at a campaign rally on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Newtown, Pa. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

OTTAWA — A Republican congressman in Washington has introduced a new bill taking aim at Canada’s Online Streaming Act.

The bill would trigger an investigation of the streaming legislation by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, Rep. Lloyd Smucker’s office said in a news release.

The statement said if the trade representative finds the implementation of the streaming bill discriminates against or burdens American commerce, the USTR would be directed to take “necessary retaliatory action.”

Under the Online Streaming Act, the federal broadcast regulator has ordered large foreign platforms to make a five per cent contribution toward Canadian content.

That’s made the bill a target in trade negotiations with the United States.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has previously criticized the impact of the Online Streaming Act and Online News Act on U.S. digital service providers ahead of the review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade deal.

“Canada’s unfair policies stack the deck against U.S. companies, creators and workers,” Smucker said in the release. “This bill would protect American creators and companies while permitting mutually beneficial competition and innovation.”

The release included statements of support from groups representing large streamers and tech companies.

Graham Davies, CEO of the Digital Media Association, which represents music streamers, said the implementation of the Online Streaming Act “continues to be a significant source of concern to our members, as it discriminates against non-Canadian, and especially U.S. companies, jeopardizes investments, and imposes new and undue burdens on music streaming services.”

Rodrigo Balbontin of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, which receives financial support from big tech companies, said the streaming bill sets a “troubling precedent” internationally.

“If left unchallenged, American streaming platforms may face a barrage of protectionist digital policies in foreign markets designed to extract revenue from them and privilege non-American content,” Balbontin said.

Earlier this week, Culture Minister Marc Miller said the government wants the Online Streaming Act and the Online News Act — which requires Meta and Google to compensate media outlets for displaying their content — to work.

“This is about people paying their fair share,” he said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 20, 2026.

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press