The CRTC has launched a free, downloadable music database that makes it easier for broadcasters, artists and the public to identify Canadian music.
The commission says the database brings together information previously spread across multiple industry sources, making it easier for radio stations to identify and promote music that counts toward their Canadian content requirements.
The CRTC continues to define a Canadian musical selection using the MAPL system: Music, Artist, Performance and Lyrics. To qualify as Canadian content, a musical selection must generally fulfil at least two of the following:
- M (music): the music is composed entirely by a Canadian
- A (artist): the music is, or the lyrics are, performed principally by a Canadian
- P (performance): the musical selection consists of a live performance that is
- recorded wholly in Canada, or
- performed wholly in Canada and broadcast live in Canada
- L (lyrics): the lyrics are written entirely by a Canadian
The initial release includes roughly 20,000 popular Canadian songs, with new releases and older songs to be added regularly to the database, including French, Indigenous, and third-language music.
The CRTC says it’s welcoming feedback from users to help improve the database and ensure it continues to meet the needs of broadcasters, artists, and the public.
