Regulatory Plan to modernize Canada’s broadcasting system
This plan explains how the CRTC will work with Canadians to modernize Canada’s broadcasting system. Modernization will take place in three phases.
The CRTC will adapt its approach in light of any future policy direction.
Phase 1
Spring 2023 (completed)
- April 27: Online Streaming Act (Bill C-11) receives Royal Assent.
- May 8: CRTC publishes its Regulatory Plan.
- May 12: CRTC publishes an Information Bulletin.
Public consultations (in progress)
- Consultation on contributions to the Canadian broadcasting system: This consultation will consider who should contribute, how much and how.
Status: Open for comments. - Consultation on registration of online streaming services: This consultation will consider which online streaming services will need to be registered with the CRTC.
Status: Open for comments. - Consultation on exemption orders and basic conditions of service: This consultation will consider changes to orders under which online services have operated in Canada.
Status: Open for comments. - There may be additional consultations, including on establishing a new fund to provide financial support for participation in CRTC proceedings by persons and groups representing the public interest.
- Consultation on contributions to the Canadian broadcasting system: This consultation will consider who should contribute, how much and how.
Phase 2
- Fall 2023 (upcoming)
- Public consultations
- Consultation on fee regulations: This consultation will review fees paid by broadcasters and how they should be extended to online undertakings.
- Other activities
- CRTC publishes updated version of its Regulatory Plan.
- Engagement on definitions of Canadian and Indigenous content: These preliminary engagement sessions with industry and creators will help design the approach for a full public consultation.
- Public consultations
- Winter 2023-2024 (upcoming)
- Public consultations may include
- Consultation on definitions of Canadian and Indigenous content: This consultation would review the definition of Canadian content and examine possible changes.
- Consultation on tools to support Canadian music and other audio content: This consultation would assess tools to support Canadian audio content.
- Consultation on programming and supports for video content: This consultation would assess tools to develop, support, and promote Canadian and Indigenous content on all platforms.
- Consultation on local markets access and competition: This consultation would evaluate market access, news and local programming, and competitive behaviours.
- Consultation on protecting Canadian consumers: This consultation would review ways to protect consumers and include broadcaster codes of conduct and mechanisms for complaints.
- Public consultations may include
Phase 3
- Targeting launch: Late 2024 (upcoming)
- This phase will focus on implementing policy decisions listed above. More on Phase 3 will be included in future updates of this plan.
Open and public process
Modernizing Canada’s broadcasting system will require multiple steps. Every step will include open and public consultations.
Our approach
Changes needed to implement the modernized Broadcasting Act are substantial and complex. There are many interconnected issues to be addressed.
Implementing the modernized Act will be done in three phases. We will make decisions based on consultations. We will adjust our plans as needed. As a result, this plan will be updated regularly to ensure that everyone can participate and share ideas.
Phase 1: Getting started (launching spring 2023)
The broadcasting system of the future will ensure that online streaming services make meaningful contributions to Canadian and Indigenous content. Creators will have opportunities to tell their stories and Canadians will have access to a greater variety and diversity of content.
We will:
- consult on a registration requirement for certain online streaming services;
- review exemption orders and possible basic conditions of service; and
- start to develop a framework for contributions that will apply to traditional broadcasters and online streaming services.
On May 12, 2023, we published an Information Bulletin clarifying more technical details for broadcasters.
Consultation on contributions to the Canadian broadcasting system
We are consulting on what contributions services will need to make to support the Canadian broadcasting system. We are also consulting on other important issues such as the diversity, promotion, and accessibility of Canadian and Indigenous programming.
Consultation on registration of online streaming services
This consultation helps ensure that our regulation is limited to companies that can make a material contribution to the broadcasting system.
We are proposing that registration be required only for online streaming services that have more than $10 million in annual revenues in Canada.
Consultation on exemption orders and basic conditions of service
Online streaming services have operated in Canada under “exemption orders.” This consultation examines what basic requirements they should have to meet to do business in Canada.
Phase 2: Building a new regulatory framework (launching fall 2023)
In this phase, we will look at how we could tailor our expectations of and requirements for different broadcasting services, including:
- Definitions of Canadian and Indigenous content;
- Our approach to licensing;
- Funding to improve public participation in broadcasting processes;
- Audio-related support, such as contributions for music and spoken-word programming;
- Mechanisms, such as incentives and regulatory measures, that could be used to:
- support emerging talent
- foster creation, production, distribution, promotion, and discoverability of diverse content
- Supports for news and local programming;
- Market access and other power imbalances;
- Fair negotiations, ownership, and dispute resolution;
- Improving protections for consumers; and
- Broadcasting industry fees.
Phase 3: Implementing new regulatory framework (targeting launch late 2024)
Phase 3 will focus on implementing the new regulations and policy decisions. More information will follow.
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