The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Canada’s regulatory agency for broadcasting and telecommunications, is updating the rules defining what qualifies as a “Canadian program.” Alongside this update are several changes regarding artificial intelligence, a new system to determine if content is Canadian, and efforts to implement the Online Streaming Act.
Scott Shortliffe, CRTC vice-president of broadcasting, stated in a news conference that the update broadens the definition of Canadian content, allowing more productions to be certified as Canadian.
The new qualifying system for certifying Canadian content has changed from a fixed-point system to a percentage-based system. For a production to be certified Canadian, it must achieve a minimum score of 60 percent, rather than earning 6 out of 10 points.
Scoring is based on the total possible points for creative roles used in production, which allows more flexibility. In the new update, the CRTC added more creative roles to be recognized in the certification system. Productions can also get bonus points with elements like Canadian characters and settings, and being based on Canadian written work.
With the new updates, a new requirement has been made to get certification that copyright for a produced piece must be at least 20 percent retained by a Canadian. Depending on how much of the copyright is owned by a Canadian, different rules apply, being stricter on Canadians owning less of a copyright.
A big deal in recent years for making content, AI was addressed in this update. The CRTC said they understand the use of AI as a tool, but key creative roles must be filled by humans to be Canadian content certified.
In part with the CRTC working to implement the Online Streaming Act, streaming platforms that make $25 million or more from Canada must make public broadcasting revenues and spending on Canadian content.
The new definition and updates are scheduled to take effect in early 2026, according to the CRTC.
