Bill C-11 has recently been passed, as we gear up for this to be implemented in the future, what can Canadians expect?
Bill C-11, known as the updated Broadcasting Bill or the Online Streaming Bill, is the Government updating our nation’s laws surrounding streaming and the promotion of Canadian content.
The impacts are unclear at the moment and due to the vague language used in the law, it is no wonder this bill and its amendments have been so controversial.
Although an update in Canadian laws is needed to adapt to the times of streaming and online content, people are worried about the implications of the government and the CRTC regulating how we see content.
Positive Impact Potential
The Broadcasting bill is setting out the role that the CRTC has in making Canadian content accessible and available to Canadians. Changes to this include making the act applicable to the internet and streaming services in Canada.
When implemented, this would look like Canadian content being promoted on our streaming services so we can see media that was filmed or produced in Canada and starring or creating jobs for Canadians. Services would also be expected to invest money into the creation of Can-Con to promote media that reflects Canadian culture and values. Incentives like this could increase the amount of Canadians who are seeking to work in these media-driven fields. Having more content by and for Canadians would shine a light on Canadian talent in a sea of American media that is so dominant.
Controversy
That being said, the Bill does raise issues that the public has been very vocal about. Questions raised about content creators and how they would be affected by the new law were raised when the CRTC stated that nothing would change but rejected amendments that would put that in writing. Canadian content creators worry about their ability to reach global audiences with little to no regard for how their online businesses run.
Other conversations about freedom of speech and expression have also been brought up by Canadians who worry that government regulation is a dangerous precedent to set. It is unclear how the algorithms will be affected and people wonder if certain individuals will be silenced online.
When it comes to this Bill it’s important to know that there is validity in both the pros and cons that Canadians are voicing. Broadcasting laws need to catch up to the world of social media and streaming while taking into consideration that big tech companies and government regulation bodies make people worried about the future of Canadian freedoms of expression.
Take time to research this bill to see what changes may be coming to you in the future.
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