New CanCon model should encourage partnerships with Indigenous broadcasters, CRTC hears

GATINEAU, Que.—As the CRTC works to redefine “Canadian program” and the rules around it, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network told the regulator on Thursday that it wants to see a system that prioritizes supporting Indigenous productions made in collaboration with Indigenous broadcasters. The regulator’s hearing on redefining “Canadian program” in the audio-visual sector continued on Thursday, May 15, with appearances from groups representing Canadians with disabilities, children’s media, and racialized and Indigenous communities. The Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) closed out the day’s presentations with an emphasis on Indigenous ownership. “The Broadcasting Act now clearly recognizes that Indigenous Peoples should and operate our own broadcasting undertakings,” said APTN CEO Monika Ille. “Public resources to support Indigenous production should be directed to productions involving Indigenous broadcasters,” she asserted, arguing that it would help to ensure Indigenous “narrative sovereignty” is protected. The APTN is advocating for a portion of all “funding envelopes” to be set aside for Indigenous productions and priority for that funding should be given to productions that include an Indigenous broadcaster. If there is not any involvement from an Indigenous broadcaster making this content, the commissioning broadcaster should have to show “willingness to include an Indigenous broadcaster,” or offer broadcasting rights to an Indigenous broadcaster “within a reasonable period,” APTN proposes. “While non-Indigenous broadcasters can show indigenous content, and we're very pleased that they're doing so," said APTN executive director of content and strategy Mike Omelus, “Indigenous-controlled ensure that the heart, the soul, and intent behind the content remain authentically Indigenous, serving the needs and aspirations of Indigenous communities in ways that external entities simply cannot replicate.” The “impact and the authenticity” of Indigenous content “ profoundly when Indigenous people are able to control the narrative from the creation right to the dissemination,” he stated. APTN emphasized the importance of Indigenous broadcasters in the ecosystem, and repeated its calls for the creation of a Services of Exceptional Importance Fund (SEIF), a mechanism it proposed during the previous Online Streaming Act hearing in 2023. Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) also supports the creation of such a fund. The non-profit company, represented by CEO David Errington and regulatory counsel Kevin Goldstein, argues that traditional broadcasting distribution undertakings (BDUs) should continue having to pay wholesale subscription fees for mandatory carriage 9(1)(h) services. However, due to the shift to streaming and the ongoing decline of TV subscriptions, streamers should have to pay into the SEIF model. The various kinds of broadcasters and streaming services play different roles when comparing those based in Canada to those that are foreign, said Goldstein. For Canadian services, “this is their primary market” and “in most cases, it's their only market,” he said. That brings with it different contributions than those brought by foreign services, for which “Canada is an add-on.” “Often the employment in Canada is limited, or non-existent, and what they're doing for the Canadian market is just a bolt-on option that is gravy, for lack of a better word,” argued Goldstein. He pointed to the role that local TV and news stations play, stating that they make a “huge contribution” to the system by just “maintaining operations in local markets.” “A streaming platform would be different” and therefore “the contribution those services make can be better measured in dollars versus perhaps what traditional Canadian undertakings do,” Goldstein stated, advocating for streaming service regulations that require them to pay into funds. READ MORE: -- CAB calls for streamers to fund news production at CRTC hearing; Streamers reschedule appearance -- CRTC launches Streaming Act consults on CanCon definition, radio regulations -- Streamers ‘disappointed’ in five per cent base contribution requirement Several other groups that appeared before the CRTC also called for the creation of specific funds, including the Deaf Wireless Canada Committee (DWCC), and the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS). The DWCC called for a fund to support deaf and accessible programming. Broadcasters and streamers would have Canadian programming expenditure requirements to contribute to the fund. The group also wants a sign language-based commissioning body to be created to oversee the fund. The group, represented by chairperson Jeffrey Beatty, consultant Jessica Sergeant, and consultant Gary Malkowski — each of whom gave their remarks in American Sign Language (ASL) — also urged the CRTC to adopt a definition of CanCon that moves beyond “outdated hearing-centric frameworks.” They are calling for inclusive language that reflects the “full range of how Canadians access and engage with content.” “DWCC urges the Commission to reflect on the very term used in this proceeding: audio-visual sector,” said Sergeant. “While commonly used in regulatory and industry discourse, it inherently centres around the auditory experience and reinforces a hearing-centric worldview. This has led to a lack of sign language-centric broadcasting framework in Canada.” The DWCC wants to see the creation of a TV and Digital Access Code that requires five per cent of CanCon on all types of BDUs to be accessible through “high-quality” ASL, langue des signes Québécoise, and Indigenous Sign Language. Additionally, the group asked the CRTC to conduct a feasibility study on a sign language-based broadcasting system in Canada. phalentm@thewirereport.ca

New CanCon model should encourage partnerships with Indigenous broadcasters, CRTC hears

Broadcast |
By Phalen Tynes-MacDonald
| May 16, 2025

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us

New CanCon model should encourage partnerships with Indigenous broadcasters, CRTC hears

Broadcast | By Phalen Tynes-MacDonald | May 16, 2025

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Related Stories

CAB calls for streamers to fund news production at CRTC hearing; Streamers reschedule appearance

Streamers challenge ‘restrictive’ CanCon definitions in audio proceeding

UPDATED: Music Canada, SOCAN look to intervene in appeal against CRTC streaming service levy

UPDATED: CRTC postpones broadcast hearings following snap election call

Reuse & Permissions

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us

Broadcast |
By Phalen Tynes-MacDonald
| May 16, 2025