CRTC commissioner promises support for local programming as regulator awaits federal directive

As the CRTC waits to learn details of the federal government’s shifting approach under the Online Streaming Act, commissioner Ellen C. Desmond made a promise to community broadcasters: local programming won’t get left behind. Desmond, the regulator’s point-person for Atlantic Canada and Nunavut, re-emphasized the importance of supporting community-based content during a keynote address to the Canadian Communications Systems Alliance’s (CCSA) annual summit in Halifax. “Local community programming remains important to millions of Canadians,” Desmond said on Monday. “So, finding ways to fund and deliver this programming will be one of the challenges going forward in this evolving broadcasting landscape.” “We all want media that tells our stories, including local programming, whether that perspective is from Halifax, from Gatineau, , or Iqaluit.” Desmond’s comments come after the federal government asked the CRTC to review a recent decision requiring U.S. streamers to allocate 15 per cent of annual revenues to funding ‘Cancon.’ As first reported by The Wire Report, Ottawa has also disclosed plans to eliminate the pre-existing five per cent base contribution regulations, opting instead to provide $600 million annually in public funding for Canada’s cultural ecosystem. Canadian Identity Minister Marc Miller (Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Sœurs, Que.) has promised to issue a new policy direction guiding the CRTC’s regulatory approach, which Miller said will be rooted in affordability and consumer concerns, creating a lingering uncertainty for the domestic film and television industry, as well as the country’s broadcasting regulator. Before the policy directions are unveiled, the Liberal government must provide a draft to the CRTC. It’s not clear when the directions will be published. Miller’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while the CRTC said in a statement it was “aware” of the government’s intention and “will review any new policy directions as they are released.” “Until those directions are released, it is difficult to know precisely how they may affect our work,” said Desmond. “So while I am not able to share specifics at the moment, what I can assure you today is that we will continue working to ensure Canadians have access to Canadian and Indigenous stories, and are able to see themselves and their communities, their values and their ideas, on screen. Advocacy groups and cultural industry leaders have raised concerns that $600 million in government funding won’t match the anticipated contributions from streaming companies, which were forecasted to reach $2 billion per year. As reported by The Globe and Mail, Ottawa is also looking at excluding local news producers and niche broadcasters from the funding pot. CCSA CEO Sheri Somerville, whose organization represents approximately 100 independent broadcasters and communications providers, told The Wire Report earlier this summer that the CRTC should re-orient its focus around local programming. In her keynote, Desmond referenced the interview and agreed with the recommendation. “ pointed out that, as the CRTC focuses on Canadian content, it is important to include local community programming in the analysis, as it supports civic and local engagement and helps with cultural expression,” said Desmond. The CRTC’s previous approach earmarked most streamer contributions for national agencies, like the Canada Media Fund, Canadian Independent Screen Fund for BPOC creators, and Indigenous Screen Office Fund. Locally-focused initiatives like the Community Radio Fund of Canada were given a smaller piece of the funding pie. Desmond did not provide specific details on how she would improve support for community programming. The CCSA Connect conference is scheduled to wrap on Wednesday. dlegree@thewirereport.ca

CRTC commissioner promises support for local programming as regulator awaits federal directive

Regulatory |
By Davis Legree
|September 15, 2026

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CRTC commissioner promises support for local programming as regulator awaits federal directive

Regulatory | By Davis Legree |September 15, 2026

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