As the echo of testimony faded in the CRTC hearing room yesterday, a fundamental question hung in the air: Should artificial intelligence-generated content qualify as Canadian content? Industry stakeholders delivered a resounding “no” during the latest round of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s public consultations on digital platform regulation.
The hearings, taking place at CRTC headquarters in Gatineau, have drawn representatives from across Canada’s cultural landscape as the Commission works to implement the Online Streaming Act, formerly known as Bill C-11.
“AI-generated material fundamentally lacks the human creative expression that defines authentic Canadian content,” testified Marie Cloutier from the Coalition for Canadian Creators during Wednesday’s session. “We cannot allow algorithms to replace the voices and perspectives that make our cultural landscape uniquely Canadian.”
The CRTC faces the challenging task of determining how streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video will be required to promote Canadian content and possibly contribute financially to its creation. These discussions have now expanded to include how AI-generated material should be classified.
Industry representatives raised concerns about potential loopholes that platforms might exploit by using AI to generate content that technically meets CanCon requirements without actually supporting Canadian creators.
“If we open this door, we risk undermining the very purpose of Canadian content regulations,” said James Thompson, policy director at the Canadian Media Producers Association. “The intent has always been to support Canadian creative talent and storytelling, not to check boxes through technological shortcuts.”
The hearings come at a critical moment for Canada’s creative industries. According to Statistics Canada, the cultural sector contributes over $57 billion annually to the Canadian economy and provides employment for approximately 670,000 Canadians. Many stakeholders argue that allowing AI-generated content to qualify as Canadian would threaten these jobs and dilute the authentic cultural expression the regulations aim to protect.
CRTC Chairperson Vicky Eatrides acknowledged the complexity of the issue, noting that “technology is evolving faster than regulatory frameworks can adapt.” She emphasized that the Commission’s primary goal remains supporting Canada’s cultural sovereignty while recognizing the realities of a rapidly changing digital landscape.
Some technology sector representatives offered a more nuanced perspective. Sarah Mackenzie from Digital First Canada suggested that “rather than a blanket exclusion, we should consider a framework that evaluates the degree of human creative input alongside AI assistance.”
The debate highlights broader questions about authorship and creativity in the age of artificial intelligence. Recent months have seen increasing concern from writers, musicians, and visual artists about AI systems trained on their work without permission or compensation.
As someone who has covered Ottawa’s cultural policy debates for over a decade, I’ve rarely seen an issue that cuts so directly to the heart of what we value in Canadian creative expression. These hearings aren’t just about regulatory frameworks; they’re about preserving authentic human voices in our national conversation.
The Commission also heard testimony addressing how streaming platforms should be required to make Canadian content discoverable. Representatives from Quebec-based cultural organizations emphasized the importance of ensuring French-language content receives proper visibility.
“The algorithms that determine what content is recommended to viewers must be designed to include Canadian productions, particularly those reflecting our linguistic duality,” argued Philippe Lamarre from Société des producteurs francophones.
The CRTC is expected to announce its decisions on these matters by late summer, with implementation likely beginning in early 2026. Whatever framework emerges will significantly impact how Canadians access content and how our creative industries operate in the digital age.
For many Ottawa residents who work in government or adjacent industries, these regulatory decisions will directly affect their professional landscapes. The capital region hosts numerous federal cultural agencies and policy shops that will be tasked with implementing whatever framework the CRTC ultimately adopts.
As the sun set over the Ottawa River yesterday, participants departed the hearing room with the weight of these questions still hanging in the air. The decisions made in the coming months will shape not just regulatory frameworks, but the very future of Canadian cultural expression in the digital age.
The hearings continue through next week, with additional sessions focused on platform transparency requirements and potential financial contribution mechanisms.
