Backgrounder: CRTC updates definition of Canadian content to better support Canadian stories and creators

The Online Streaming Act (formerly Bill C-11), which amended the Broadcasting Act (the Act), requires the CRTC to modernize Canada’s broadcasting framework and ensure that online streaming services make meaningful contributions to Canadian and Indigenous content. Because this work is complex and involves many interconnected pieces, the CRTC is moving forward through a series of consultations and phased decisions. This approach allows the CRTC to hear from Canadians at every step and build a strong public record to guide clear, effective and forward-looking rules for broadcasters.

Immediately after the new legislation was adopted by Parliament, the CRTC published a regulatory plan to guide this work and began implementing the plan right away. The CRTC launched a series of public consultations and held major public hearings, including one to modernize the definition of Canadian content and how to support the creation and distribution of Canadian programming by television and online streaming services.

Today, by issuing this regulatory policy, the CRTC is continuing in its efforts to implement the modernized Act. This decision addresses four of the main issues that were considered in the consultation: the certification framework for Canadian programs; artificial intelligence; data collection and publication; and reporting requirements.

Consultation on the definition of Canadian audio-visual content

The CRTC launched an extensive public consultation that included workshops held across the country to gather diverse perspectives, including from creators, broadcasters, and online streaming services, as well as hundreds of written submissions from individuals and organizations. The CRTC received 480 detailed submissions and heard from 78 groups during a three-week public hearing. All of this input informed today’s decision.

Reflecting audio-visual content today

The way audio-visual content is produced and distributed is evolving. The CRTC’s updated definition reflects today’s production environment and helps ensure that Canadians remain at the heart of their own stories.

Key elements of the updated definition

The updated definition helps the CRTC determine whether a program qualifies as Canadian and includes the following key elements:

• Uses a system that awards points for key creative roles filled by Canadians, and requires production and post-production spending in Canada.
• Recognizes a broader range of creative roles that contribute to Canadian productions, including positions such as showrunners, heads of departments responsible for costume design, make-up artists and hair artists, and visual effects directors and special effects directors, alongside existing roles like directors, scriptwriters and lead voice performers.
• Introduces bonus points for specific types of content, such as programs based on Canadian books.
• Reflects modern production realities, acknowledging the many ways artists contribute to the creative process while ensuring that key creative roles remain in Canadian hands.
• Clarifies that key creative positions used to qualify as Canadian content (such as the director and screenwriter) should be held by humans, not artificial intelligence.
• Streamlines reporting requirements for certified productions, as part of the CRTC’s ongoing efforts to reduce regulatory burden on the industry.
• Requires collaboration between foreign streaming services and Canadian companies, ensuring that at least 20 percent of ownership rests with a Canadian partner and that a higher proportion of key creative positions are held by Canadians.

This approach will help create partnerships between Canadian producers and foreign streaming services, who can use the rich pool of Canadian talent to produce quality content in English, French and other languages.

Supporting Canadian creators and industry growth

This decision supports Canadian creators and strengthens the creative industries by allowing more productions to qualify as Canadian, which encourages investment in local talent and production capacity. It helps protect jobs across the sector and keeps investment in Canada, ensuring that the industry remains strong, competitive, and reflective of Canadian culture and identity.

Next steps

This is the first of two decisions resulting from the CRTC’s consultation on Canadian audio-visual content. The second decision will address spending on Canadian programs, including news, and also support for the independent production sector. It will be published in the near future.

Related products

• News release: CRTC updates definition of Canadian content to better support Canadian stories and creators
• Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2025-299