Quebec's proposed French-language quotas for streaming giants could spark a constitutional battle
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OTTAWA — The Quebec government wants major digital platforms to emphasize and boost access to francophone content and is ready to penalize them if they don't oblige.
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And it could set up a constitutional battle with the federal government.
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When the Quebec Minister of Culture and Communications Mathieu Lacombe outlined his government's intentions regarding the streaming giants earlier this week, Peter Menzies thought: 'Oh boy, here we go.'
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The former vice chair of Telecommunications at the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) saw the province —again — acting and asserting powers over what seems to be a federal jurisdiction.
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'There's constitutional issues over who has jurisdiction over communications and broadcasting control,' he told National Post.
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Bill 109 would allow the government to set quotas for francophone content such as music, films and television series on streaming platforms like Netflix, Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.
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Those platforms would also have to offer an easier way for users to find francophone content.
'We can't choose something that isn't offered to us. We can't like something we don't know,' Lacombe said earlier this week.
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'Access to our culture, to films, to TV series, to songs in French, it must be easy, it must be simple when we're in Quebec,' he added.
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If Bill 109 is passed, it would establish the 'quantity or proportion' of original French-language content that must be offered on digital platforms with a default French-language interface. It would also enshrine the right of access to French-language cultural content in the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.
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Lacombe's argument is based on data that isn't very encouraging for Quebec's cultural sector. Citing government data, Lacombe claims that 92 per cent of young people have difficulty identifying French-language cultural goods available on online platforms.
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Of the 10,000 most-streamed songs in Quebec in 2023, only five per cent were French-language titles from the province. Not so long ago, in the era of compact discs, Lacombe said, one in two sales was by a Quebec artist. Currently, among the 50 most-streamed songs online in Quebec, there is only one song in French.
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Montreal Gazette
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Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors 'Our impression was that there was nothing really like this in Whistler,' said Lorette co-owner James Paré. 'People will do French or whatever, but no one is really doing what we're doing. And I feel like the culture is growing. Customers are becoming more aware and more excited to try different things. We have some unique flavours and some items that people are excited to try, and maybe not just one night, but maybe a couple nights in a row.' Along with his uncle Jay, James is co-owner and operator of Lorette's parent company, Paré Restaurant Group, which includes two other Whistler restaurants, Quattro and Caramba. 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