Canadian kids execs react to new Online Streaming Act

Bill C-11 is an "important milestone" for Canada's entertainment industry, but there's still work to be done to make sure kids content reaps the benefits, say execs from Distribution360 and Shaw Rocket Fund.
April 28, 2023

By: Kelly Townsend, with files from Ryan Tuchow and Jeremy Dickson

Canada’s film and TV industry reached a long-awaited and historic policy moment yesterday (April 27) with the passage of Bill C-11 into Canadian law.

Also known as the Online Streaming Act, the bill was created to modernize the Broadcasting Act to bring foreign-owned online undertakings under CRTC [Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission] regulation, leveling the playing field between traditional broadcasters and streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+.

Canadian kids content has had a rough go on its home turf in recent years, with a declining number of local kids broadcast commissions, and government policies that haven’t given it the same priority as projects for older audiences, kids execs tell Kidscreen. But they’re optimistic about what this new bill could mean for the future.

“The Shaw Rocket Fund welcomes the passage of Bill C-11 and the opportunities it will bring to Canadian producers of children’s content,” says Agnes Augustin, president and CEO of Shaw Rocket Fund. “Rocket Fund will continue to champion the creation of Canadian kids content throughout the regulatory process to ensure that Canadian children and youth are prioritized and not forgotten. This legislation is most important in a time when Canadian children’s content has been diminished as a result of previous regulatory policies by not being considered a priority. Kids have access to worldwide content, and this provides an opportunity to ensure that Canadian children and youth, representing close to 21% of our population and the future adults of our country, are offered robust and meaningful Canadian-made media on the platforms that they enjoy.”

Several major streamers have set up shop in Canada in recent years, and the hope is that this new bill will lead to more commissions for Canadian kids shows, says Diane Rankin, EVP of rights and an executive producer at marblemedia’s Distribution360. “I’d say we are optimistic now that the bill has passed, but there is still hard work that the CRTC and the industry must do to shape the final details. But I’m glad to see some change happen since it’s the first time the Broadcasting Act will have been amended in 30 years! And if we can make sure we don’t end up with two-tier Canadian content system between broadcasters and streamers, it should create opportunities for Canadian independent producers, creators and talent.”

The passage of the bill is “an important milestone for the health of Canadian culture,” says the CBC’s director of media relations, Leon Mar. The expectation is that as the government begins consulting the industry on how to implement C-11, it’ll become clear how exactly it will affect children’s programming.

A significant component of these consultations will be the definition of Canadian content. The Canada Media Fund (CMF) has held its own consultation process around this topic, and is planning to publish a “What You Said Report” on the findings in the coming months. The CRTC has previously stated that it is closely monitoring the CMF’s consultations.

“As the country’s largest funder and catalyst for Canadian content creation, the CMF has an important role to play throughout this process,” said president and CEO Valerie Creighton. “We look forward to working closely with the industry, including streamers and digital-first creators, and the government to ensure that new regulations maximize this sector’s incredible potential.”

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