Despite the federal government reversing course on the Online Streaming Act, CRTC Chair Vicky Eatrides told the Banff World Media Festival (BANFF) on Monday that the federal regulator is forging ahead with its digital-age overhaul, anchoring its strategy on structural updates to how Canadian content is defined, financed, and discovered.
Speaking to a room of international broadcasters, creators, and executives, Eatrides acknowledged the looming anxiety surrounding the federal government’s recent notice that it intends to tweak its policy instructions for the Online Streaming Act. Eatrides signalled that the regulator’s momentum remains unbroken.
“Until those directions are released, it is difficult to know precisely how they may affect our work,” she stated. “But for now, I would offer two observations. First, our work continues. We remain focused on supporting a modern, sustainable broadcasting system that serves Canadians. Second, adaptation has always been a part of the regulatory landscape.”
“If we look back at the history of broadcasting policy in Canada, we see that its purpose has remained consistent,” Eatrides continued. “The Broadcasting Act is about ensuring that Canadian stories have a place in our broadcasting system — because it matters that Canadians can see themselves, their communities, and their experiences reflected on screen.”
“What has changed over time is not the purpose, but the means of achieving it. The ‘why’ remains constant, while the ‘how continues to evolve. As technologies have advanced, business models have shifted, and audience habits have changed, our laws and regulatory frameworks have evolved as well. The role of the CRTC is to implement the legislation enacted by Parliament and to apply it in a changing environment, while continuing to advance the longstanding objectives of Canadian broadcasting policy.”
Eatrides’ address also touched on the CRTC’s stance on artificial intelligence and intellectual property (IP).
“There is no question that AI has the potential to be a valuable tool in the creative process. But we also made it clear that the key creative positions that define Canadian content should continue to be filled by people,” she said.
She closed her regulatory update by focusing on the commission’s discoverability framework, designed to ensure Canadian content isn’t buried by global streaming algorithms.
“Creating great Canadian content is only part of the equation. Canadians also need to be able to find it,” Eatrides said. “The framework is guided by clear principles and expectations, and recognizes the unique importance of content created in English, French, and Indigenous languages.”
“Across the history of Canadian broadcasting, the technologies have changed. The platforms have changed. Audience habits have changed. But the purpose has remained constant,” she concluded. “For decades, Canada has recognized that our stories matter – that Canadians should be able to see themselves, their communities, and their experiences reflected in the broadcasting system. That work is not carried out by legislation alone. It is brought to life by creators, producers, broadcasters, and storytellers – people like you.”
