SPA congratulates Canadian screen industry on passing of Online Streaming Act – Screen Producers Australia (SPA) CEO Matthew Deaner today congratulated the Canadian Minister of Heritage Hon. Pablo Rodriguez, and the Canadian Media Producers Association for their efforts towards the passage of their Online Streaming Act last week.
“Like the anticipated Australian legislation for the regulation of online streaming platforms, the Canadian bill has been a long time coming but with Royal Assent last week, Canada’s regulator, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), now has the authority to grapple with the important detail to bring streaming services under their broadcasting act,” said SPA CEO Matthew Deaner.
“Australia and Canada have much in common when it comes to streaming regulation. Both are relatively small, English-language countries seeking to balance their own culture against the heft and volume of screen content from the USA.
“As has been foreshadowed in Australia’s new National Cultural Policy, legislation to ensure Australian stories are seen and heard on all platforms will be introduced into the Australian Parliament later this year, to commence in July 2024, and consultation on a model for this regulation is currently underway.
“Reflecting on the Minister of Heritage’s media release, it is easy to see that the aspirations of both countries are near-identical:
The Online Streaming Act requires streaming services to contribute to the creation, production, and distribution of Canadian stories in a way that is flexible and fair.
The law will give Canadians more opportunities to see themselves in what they watch and hear under a new framework that will lead to a modern definition of Canadian Content that better reflects our country’s diversity. Canadian artists, producers, creators, and our cultural industry can now count on a fair shot at success in the digital age… The Act aims to level the playing field and support Canadian creators and storytellers by increasing investment in Canadian culture and supporting jobs in the industry while ensuring that Canadian culture continues to be shared with generations to come.
“SPA also notes that the Canadian Online Streaming Act explicitly directs the CRTC to consider the role of independent producers and their access to “fair and equitable” rights to intellectual property in their screen programs. This is something that Australian screen producers are desperately in need of.
“SPA is energised about the long-awaited prospect of putting the Australian screen industry on a solid footing for sustainable growth to ensure that the Australian screen industry grows in reputation and reach and maximises the opportunity to become more globally competitive and renowned. “We hope that the passage of the Canadian law will bolster the regulatory appetite of Australia’s own legislators and ensure that, like Canada, Australia can secure a sustainable and strong future,” said Mr Deaner
Media Release – Screen Producers Australia
Screen Producers Australia link HERE
TV Central Screen Producers Australia content HERE
