Apple, Amazon and Spotify challenging CRTC's Canadian content rules in court this week
Some of the world's biggest streaming companies will argue in court on Monday that they shouldn't have to make CRTC-ordered financial contributions to Canadian content and news.
Article content
The companies are fighting an order from the federal broadcast regulator that says they must pay five per cent of their annual Canadian revenues to funds devoted to producing Canadian content, including local TV news.
Article content
Article content
Article content
The case, which consolidates several appeals by streamers, will be heard by the Federal Court of Appeal in Toronto.
Article content
Article content
In December, the court put a pause on the payments — estimated to be at least $1.25 million annually per company. Amazon, Apple and Spotify had argued that if they made the payments and then won the appeal and overturned the CRTC order, they wouldn't be able to recover the money.
Article content
In court documents, the streamers put forward a long list of arguments on why they shouldn't have to pay, including technical points regarding the CRTC's powers under the Broadcasting Act.
Article content
Spotify argued that the contribution requirement amounts to a tax, which the CRTC doesn't have the authority to impose. The music streamer also took issue with the CRTC requiring the payments without first deciding how it will define Canadian content.
Article content
Article content
Amazon argued the federal cabinet specified the CRTC's requirements have to be 'equitable.'
Article content
Article content
It said the contribution requirement is 'inequitable because it applies only to foreign online undertakings and only to such undertakings with more than $25 million in annual Canadian broadcasting revenues.'
Article content
Apple also said the regulator 'acted prematurely' and argued the CRTC didn't consider whether the order was 'equitable.' It pointed out Apple is required to contribute five per cent, while radio stations must only pay 0.5 per cent — and streamers don't have the same access to the funds into which they pay.
Article content
The CRTC imposes different rules on Canadian content contributions from traditional media players. It requires large English-language broadcasters to contribute 30 per cent of revenues to Canadian programming.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
National Post
42 minutes ago
- National Post
Another delivery system disruption as DHL Express Canada locks out workers and union strikes
Unifor says DHL Express Canada locked out workers just after midnight today as the two sides failed to reach a contract deal, injecting more labour turmoil into the country's parcel delivery market. Article content The union, which represents 2,100 truck drivers, couriers and warehouse workers across seven provinces, says they went on strike in response at 11 a.m. ET. Article content Article content Unifor says the German-owned carrier is proposing to change the driver pay system and planning to use replacement workers before legislation banning them comes into effect on June 20. Article content Article content The work stoppage, which affects package delivery across the country, comes as Canada Post remains at loggerheads with 55,000 workers, whose union last month imposed an overtime ban that scales back parcel services. Article content Article content
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
DHL Express locks out workers across Canada, adding to parcel sector turmoil
MONTREAL — Unifor says DHL Express Canada locked out workers just after midnight today as the two sides failed to reach a contract deal, injecting more labour turmoil into the country's parcel delivery market. The union, which represents 2,100 truck drivers, couriers and warehouse workers across seven provinces, says they went on strike in response at 11 a.m. ET. Unifor says the German-owned carrier is proposing to change the driver pay system and planning to use replacement workers before legislation banning them comes into effect on June 20. The work stoppage, which affects package delivery across the country, comes as Canada Post remains at loggerheads with 55,000 workers, whose union last month imposed an overtime ban that scales back parcel services. Unifor says a work stoppage could disrupt next weekend's Formula One Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, where DHL is responsible for transporting the turbocharged race cars. Unifor says its bargaining priorities remain wages, working conditions and surveillance and automation in the workplace. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 8, 2025. Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Lufa Farms partners with Walmart to grow and sell greenhouse produce
With Walmart Canada, Montreal's Lufa Farms will grow produce under a 127,000 square foot greenhouse roof. Lufa Farms partners with Walmart to grow and sell greenhouse produce A partnership involving Lufa Farms is giving buying local a whole new meaning. 'We want to use free space in the cities where the people are and live,' says Lionel Trombert, Lufa Farms vice-president of finance. With Walmart Canada, the food company is taking produce from local to hyperlocal under one 127,000 square foot greenhouse roof. 'Whatever is being grown here is being picked and harvested at night and given to our customers either through the Lufa websites and, in this case, through the Walmart kiosk downstairs on a fresh basis every morning,' Trombert says. From cucumbers to peppers, it's the first time Lufa Farms produce is being sold through a retailer. This is also the first time that Walmart Canada is selling produce from its own roof. On top of filling a demand to buy locally, the partnership is a solution that offers sustainability. Lufa Farms greenhouse Lufa Farms is teaming up with Walmart to grow produce under a 127,000 square foot greenhouse roof. (Anastasia Dextrene/CTV) 'Land and water have become scarce resources and hydroponic systems usually typically consumes only about 5 to 10 per cent of the water of a land farm,' says Trombert. Their site at Marché Central is pesticide-free and you won't find soil or dirt. Instead, you'll find a hydraulic system that's responsible for producing four tonnes of crops each day. The location was chosen as the perfect basis for the project's roots, due to its size and proximity to neighbourhoods. Walmart Canada market leader Jacinthe Langevin says the company purchased more than $3.8 billion worth of products from 460 Quebec retailers last year. 'We are so proud to add Lufa Farms officially to that list,' she said. The hope is that the project will keep growing. 'There's an ask from customers and we've experienced that when we first sold those products ... we sold out almost every day,' Langevin told CTV.
