On November 18, 2025, in Gatineau, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) marked an important milestone in the transformation of Canada’s broadcasting landscape. By updating the definition of Canadian content for both television and online streaming services, the CRTC is steering the country toward a more modern, inclusive, and future-ready storytelling ecosystem—one that reflects how content is created, consumed, and shared today.
This latest step is part of the CRTC’s broader mandate under the modernized Broadcasting Act. The Act requires the Commission to ensure that online streaming platforms make meaningful contributions to Canadian and Indigenous content. In an era where global platforms dominate screens and attention spans, that mandate has never been more critical.
“By recognizing the contributions of a wider range of creators, we are supporting Canadians who help bring our stories to the screen. Our decision promotes Canadian talent, encourages new partnerships, and helps keep our creative industries strong for the future,” expressed Vicky Eatrides, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, CRTC.
A National Conversation on What Makes Content Canadian
To redefine Canadian content in a way that resonates with today’s creative realities, the CRTC undertook one of its most comprehensive consultations to date. Over several months, the Commission received 480 detailed written submissions and hosted a three-week public hearing, welcoming insight from 78 groups across Canada’s production ecosystem. These contributors included filmmakers, screenwriters, digital creators, broadcasters, streaming services, and individual Canadians who shared their perspectives on how best to support the voices that shape the nation’s cultural identity.
The conversation wasn’t just procedural—it was passionate. At the centre of the debate was a question that has evolved dramatically over recent decades: What does it mean for a story to be Canadian?
A Definition That Reflects Today’s Creative Realities
The newly updated definition aligns with how content is developed in the modern era. While the foundational point-based system—awarding credit when Canadians hold key creative roles such as director and screenwriter—remains vital, the new approach broadens recognition to a wider range of creators and production roles.
This evolution supports Canadian creative industries more comprehensively. It acknowledges the increasingly collaborative and cross-border nature of production while maintaining a core principle: stories should be shaped by those who live and understand the Canadian experience.
Balancing Flexibility and Creative Sovereignty
Alongside the new definition, the CRTC is giving both traditional broadcasters and online streaming platforms greater flexibility in how they invest in and promote Canadian content. The intention is to encourage innovation—not impose rigid or outdated requirements—while still ensuring Canadians maintain meaningful control over their work and benefit directly from its success.
This balance between flexibility and sovereignty is essential in today’s competitive global media environment. It creates room for new voices, new formats, and new partnerships, while reinforcing the cultural foundation Canadians expect from their broadcasting system.
Another Step in a Larger Transformation
The updated definition is part of a series of actions taken by the CRTC to bring the Broadcasting Act into alignment with a rapidly changing media landscape. From new regulatory frameworks to updated funding and contribution models, Canada is steadily building a system that can thrive in the digital age—without losing sight of its cultural roots.
For a deeper look into the Commission’s ongoing work, Canadians are encouraged to explore the CRTC’s full regulatory plan. What’s clear is that the future of Canadian storytelling is being reshaped in real time—and today’s decision brings that future one step closer.
