CRTC chair vows to continue supporting Canadian stories as Liberals pivot on streaming rules

In anticipation of new policy directives from the Liberal government, CRTC chair Vicky Eatrides reiterated a commitment to fulfilling the regulator’s overarching mandate — promoting Canadian culture. “We remain guided by a consistent purpose: ensuring that Canadian and Indigenous stories continue to be created, shared, discovered, and heard,” Eatrides said during a speech at the Banff World Media Festival on Monday. “That purpose endures even as the system around it evolves.” “And as new challenges arise – and new policy directions are introduced – we will continue to adapt, just as Canada’s broadcasting system has done throughout its history.” Eatrides’ comments marked her first public appearance since the federal government ordered the commission to review its recent landmark decision that required U.S. streaming companies to allocate 15 per cent of Canadian revenues to the production of domestic news and entertainment media. Previously, the CRTC’s base contribution decision only required streamers to earmark five per cent of revenue. The decision, announced last month, was expected to annually generate $2 billion for Canada’s cultural ecosystem, despite facing opposition from American industry interests, the White House, and the federal Conservative Party. The Liberals initially pushed back against Conservative claims that the increased funding requirements would result in knock-on subscription hikes for individual Canadians, but later ordered the CRTC to review its policy. Canadian Culture Minister Marc Miller (Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Sœurs, Que.) promised to issue new policy directions for the regulator rooted in affordability and “ensuring flexibility for both online streamers and Canadian broadcasters.” Over the weekend, Miller told CTV News the new guidelines would be released in the coming months, while the Globe and Mail has reported the government will ask the CRTC to nix requirements for streamers to contribute to funding programs for local news producers and speciality broadcasters, like Aboriginal Peoples Television Network and Cable Public Affairs Channel Inc. The Liberals also recently announced a $600 million funding injection for the Canadian media sector, which Miller said was necessitated because prior mandated payments from streamers have been held up by judicial disputes. “Many of you will have seen the Government’s announcement a couple of weeks ago about its intention to issue new policy directions to adjust the implementation of the Online Streaming Act,” said Eatrides. “Until those directions are released, it is difficult to know precisely how they may affect our work.” “ our work continues. We remain focused on supporting a modern, sustainable broadcasting system that serves Canadians.” The Online Streaming Act, under which the CRTC’s streaming rules were developed, was introduced by Justin Trudeau’s government in 2022 to modernize the country’s broadcasting framework, which had not been updated since 1991. However, Ottawa’s commitment to the legislation has softened under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s (Nepean, Ont.) government, as U.S. lawmakers push for the law to be scrapped ahead of the upcoming review of North America’s free trade agreement, which is scheduled for July. According to Eatrides, the Canadian broadcasting sector has long been subjected to changing business models and policy priorities, requiring flexibility from the commission’s headquarters. “What has changed over time is not the purpose , but the means of achieving it,” she said. “So let us continue to adapt. Let us continue to innovate. And let us continue to champion Canadian and Indigenous stories.” “Because those stories do more than entertain. They connect us, reflect who we are, and help define how Canada sees itself – and how the world sees Canada.” Eatrides added that the next chapter of Canadian broadcasting is “still being written,” and suggested the final direction can be shaped by Canadian writers, artists, and producers. “Let us make it one filled with bold ideas, diverse voices, and stories that connect Canadians to one another and to the world,” she said. dlegree@thewirereport.ca

CRTC chair vows to continue supporting Canadian stories as Liberals pivot on streaming rules

Regulatory |
By Davis Legree
|June 15, 2026

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CRTC chair vows to continue supporting Canadian stories as Liberals pivot on streaming rules

Regulatory | By Davis Legree |June 15, 2026

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