The government of Quebec has introduced a bill that would allow for the creation of quotas for French content on streaming services’ platforms. But the question arises if it has the right to do so.

Minister of Culture and Communications Mathieu Lacombe introduced the legislation that would force players such as Netflix, Spotify, Apple Music, and Alphabet Inc.’s YouTube to hit quotas for music, films, and TV offerings. 

They could also have to make French content more accessible to people and their interfaces would have to be French by default. They could be fined if they don’t comply. 

But under the federal government’s Online Streaming Act, streamers fall under the jurisdiction of the CRTC. The rules are quite clear, a former vice-chair of the commission states.

“At the same time, I’m unaware that the Quebec government has ever ceded authority to the feds in that area but everybody has generally got along on it,” Peter Menzies tells The Wire Report. 

“The CRTC has managed things in a way that kept everybody happy.”

Broadcasting policy falls under the purview of the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Steven Guilbeault (Laurier–Sainte-Marie, Que.). His office says the federal goals are to celebrate Canadian identity while supporting creators.

“Our government firmly believes that Canadian content should be easily accessible on streaming platforms, and in Canadians’ official language of choice,” Vanessa Cranston, the minister’s director of Parliamentary affairs, wrote in an email to The Wire Report. “We have taken note of the Quebec government’s bill on the discoverability of French-language content, and we will be examining it in depth. We will have more to say on this subject shortly.”

Guilbeault is also Minister of Official Languages. His mandate to promote minority languages could run afoul of his need to defend federal turf on broadcasting.

“To use a very Anglophone term, it’s a very sticky wicket,” Menzies said. “That’s very awkward for him.”

Already YouTube’s kids channel is not available in Quebec because its use of advertising contravenes provincial legislation. A YouTube spokesperson is cautious about the future.

“As an open platform, YouTube understands the importance of supporting local creators and audiences, while enabling Quebec content to thrive on the global stage,” the company said in a statement. “We are carefully reviewing the proposed legislation and will maintain our constructive engagement with the Quebec government and other stakeholders to ensure that Quebec’s distinct culture continues to flourish on YouTube.”

Others including Disney+ and Roku did not return requests for comment on the matter. Paramount spokesperson Laura Heath Potter said the company has no comment. 

Menzies has a prediction about the final outcome.

“I think it probably places some pressure on the CRTC to more or less do what Quebec wants,” he asserts.

ppark@thewirereport.ca