By The Canadian Press

CRTC kicks off CanCon hearing as big streamers cancel appearances

May 14, 2025 | 7:52 AM

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

Netflix, Paramount and Apple cancelled their individual appearances, while the Motion Picture Association-Canada rescheduled its appearance to Friday. MPA-Canada represents a number of big streaming companies, including Netflix and Paramount.

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

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. The Federal Court of Appeal is set to hear the case in June.

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.

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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 tariff of up to 100 per cent on movies made outside of the United States.

A spokesperson for Netflix did not answer when asked why the company cancelled its appearance, referring questions to MPA-Canada and saying the association would speak on behalf of its members.

The CRTC did not state the reason for the last-minute scheduling change, and a spokesperson said the regulator couldn’t comment on behalf of individual companies. Apple and Paramount did not respond to a request for comment.

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.

In November, the CRTC issued a preliminary position suggesting it keep the system that has long been used to determine whether content is considered Canadian, by awarding points when Canadians occupy key creative functions in a production.

It is considering expanding that to allow more creative positions to count toward the points total.

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

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press