Latest news with #Bill109
Ottawa Citizen
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Ottawa Citizen
Quebec's proposed French-language quotas for streaming giants could spark a constitutional battle
Article content 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. Article content Article content And it could set up a constitutional battle with the federal government. Article content 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.' Article content Article content 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. Article content Article content 'There's constitutional issues over who has jurisdiction over communications and broadcasting control,' he told National Post. Article content 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. Article content 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. Article content '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. Article content Article content 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. Article content 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. Article content 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.
National Post
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- National Post
Quebec's proposed French-language quotas for streaming giants could spark a constitutional battle
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. Article content Article content And it could set up a constitutional battle with the federal government. Article content 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.' Article content Article content 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. Article content Article content 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. Article 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. Article content '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. Article content 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. Article content 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. Article content 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. Article content 'The challenges facing our cultural businesses are numerous, from audience renewal to ensuring adequate funding,' said Eve Paré, the executive director for l'Adisq, an association representing more than 200 companies in the music industry. Article content 'This is a clear symbol that the Quebec government has taken note of the situation prevailing in our industry,' she added. Article content So the government is adopting a firm approach, including quotas. Lacombe wouldn't say what they were, but they would be determined through regulations. If the law is not respected, individuals and companies could face administrative sanctions up to $15,000 and criminal sanctions up to $300,000.
Calgary Herald
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Quebec's proposed French-language quotas for streaming giants could spark a constitutional battle
Article content 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. Article content Article content And it could set up a constitutional battle with the federal government. Article content 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.' Article content Article content 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. Article content Article content 'There's constitutional issues over who has jurisdiction over communications and broadcasting control,' he told National Post. Article content 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. Article content 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. Article content '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. Article content Article content 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. Article content 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. Article content 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.
Vancouver Sun
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Quebec's proposed French-language quotas for streaming giants could spark a constitutional battle
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. And it could set up a constitutional battle with the federal government. 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.' 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. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'There's constitutional issues over who has jurisdiction over communications and broadcasting control,' he told National Post. 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. 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. '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. 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. 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. 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. 'The challenges facing our cultural businesses are numerous, from audience renewal to ensuring adequate funding,' said Eve Paré, the executive director for l'Adisq, an association representing more than 200 companies in the music industry. 'This is a clear symbol that the Quebec government has taken note of the situation prevailing in our industry,' she added. So the government is adopting a firm approach, including quotas. Lacombe wouldn't say what they were, but they would be determined through regulations. If the law is not respected, individuals and companies could face administrative sanctions up to $15,000 and criminal sanctions up to $300,000. Michael Geist, a law professor at the University of Ottawa, believes that if these services were required to respect certain quotas, they might decide, rather than comply, to simply exclude users whose billing address is in the province. That means a user in Gatineau would not have access to the streaming service, while an Ottawa resident, less than a kilometre away, would. That's because, according to Geist, the wording of the bill requires a certain percentage of French-language content on a streaming service, which has the effect of removing content in English or not. The companies will therefore shut down the service in Quebec or remove English-language content in Quebec. 'That's why I think it's a content removal bill,' said Geist. 'I will not say to block the English content. It sounds a little belligerent. I wouldn't say that. I would say it's more about putting our content forward,' said Lacombe at his press conference Wednesday. Meanwhile, many companies and the federal government are watching this very closely. 'We will carefully review the proposed legislation,' YouTube Canada spokesperson Simon Langlois said in an email to the National Post. It appears the province is once again feuding with Ottawa over provincial powers. The provincial bill apparently overlaps with the federal Broadcasting Act. Bill C-11 overhauled the Act in the last Parliament to ensure that platforms contribute to the creation, promotion, and dissemination of Canadian culture. 'Our government firmly believes that Canadian content should be easily accessible on streaming platforms, and in Canadians' official language of choice,' said Vanessa Cranston, a spokesperson for Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Steven Guilbeault. The minister, we're told, has taken note of the Quebec government's bill and his department 'will be examining it in depth.' Guilbeault, who is also Prime Minister Mark Carney's Quebec lieutenant and a popular political figure in the province, is expected to address this shortly, we're told. 'There is no negotiation to be had with Ottawa. We are within our area of jurisdiction, so we legislate within our area of jurisdiction,' said Lacombe. According to Geist, it all depends on how you frame the argument. If you argue that internet streaming constitutes broadcasting, then the power would rest with the federal or provincial government. 'It's not a shared responsibility,' Geist said. Broadcasting is under federal jurisdiction. Therefore, if internet streaming is considered broadcasting, the powers could rest with the federal government, not the provinces. But if it's anything other than traditional broadcasting, this calls into question the constitutionality of federal Bill C-11 and opens the door to the constitutionality of provincial legislation. 'It seems to me difficult to argue that both can be constitutional because it's either broadcast or it isn't, which then means it's either federal or provincial,' said Geist. According to Menzies, the biggest risk is that what Quebec believes it needs will be applied across the country. 'When Quebec still goes ahead and asserts its own authority in that area, it has a great risk of duplicating the regulation in that area, which causes confusion for the in this case, the streaming sector,' he said. 'And does the CRTC end up just following Quebec's lead and doing what their legislation wants?' But for the Quebec government, it's all about protecting its language and its culture. 'Quebec is today and will always remain the best judge of the state of its language and culture. We are a fully sovereign nation when it comes to our culture,' Lacombe said. National Post atrepanier@ Get more deep-dive National Post political coverage and analysis in your inbox with the Political Hack newsletter, where Ottawa bureau chief Stuart Thomson and political analyst Tasha Kheiriddin get at what's really going on behind the scenes on Parliament Hill every Wednesday and Friday, exclusively for subscribers Sign up here . Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here .
Montreal Gazette
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Montreal Gazette
Dunlevy: Quebec's latest language bill actually makes sense (mostly)
Quebec Politics It's hard to argue with the spirit of Quebec's latest language bill. Culture and Communications Minister Mathieu Lacombe introduced legislation at the National Assembly Wednesday morning aimed at pushing digital platforms to offer more French content to Quebec consumers. The wording is characteristically lofty. Bill 109 affirms the 'cultural sovereignty' of Quebec. (Does everything have to become a sovereignty issue?) Its purpose is to increase the 'discoverability' of French-language movies, series, music, books and podcasts on streaming services including Netflix, Prime, Disney+, Apple and Spotify, and could involve quotas to that effect. The bill follows a 65-page study commissioned by the Coalition Avenir Québec government, released in January, looking at how to counter the barrage of English North American culture in the province. The objective is to insert into the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms the right to discover cultural products reflecting the 'original expression' of the French language. It is of course ironic that Quebec can fight for Quebecers' rights when it comes to the language of the culture people consume but not the clothing they wear. (Hello, notwithstanding clause, used to push through Bill 21, the province's ban on religious symbols.) Details have to be ironed out and regulations created, but the premise is simple enough. Bill 109 aims to make it easier for users to locate Quebec content and French content in general on streaming platforms. Anyone who has ever spent more time perusing the pablum on Netflix looking for something remotely watchable than they spend actually watching whatever they settle on can grasp the value of giving greater visibility to French-language cultural products on platforms serving French-speaking consumers. As is, these streaming services are impossible to navigate. Even when you know what you're looking for, they bombard you with a million distractions in the form of mediocre, mass- and fast-produced series and playlists designed to distract while keeping you in a state of comfortable — not to mention cultural — numbness. And if we let them have their way, they'll keep at it. Which is why Canada is working on its own legislation promoting and protecting Canadian content. Bill C-11 a.k.a. the Online Streaming Act has already been adopted, with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) currently holding hearings to define Canadian content in order to set the parameters of the act. It makes sense for Quebec to have its own version. According to Lacombe, 65 per cent of Quebecers have trouble finding Quebec content on foreign streaming platforms. With all the great films, TV shows, music and literature produced in our province's thriving cultural industry, it should be a top priority to make those works more accessible to Quebec audiences. It doesn't guarantee people will consume them, but it provides a fighting chance. Yet much remains to be seen in terms of the regulations that will eventually serve to support Bill 109. Making laws to facilitate access to French-language content is one thing; implementing them is another. Quebec plans to create a Bureau de la découvrabilité des contenus culturels that will report to the government on the progress of the initiative — and as we know with anything involving bureaus and language, well, things could get silly quick. One question that has dogged Quebec culture in the past is what constitutes sufficient French content to qualify as French-language, for example when it comes to Quebec rap albums that freely mix French and English words in a freewheeling verbal potpourri, and have therefore been disqualified from competing in categories at the ADISQ awards reserved for francophone music. Will such cultural products be less promoted, or have less of a right to promotion under the new bill? And what of Quebec's woebegone anglophone cultural producers — ye olde minority among the minority? Who is fighting for them? Presumably, there is no plan for our anglo creators to get a promotional push from Bill 109. They would therefore have to hope to benefit from the federal government's Bill C-11. But as we have seen in the past, such hopes can mean getting lost in the shuffle for productions that aren't even championed in their own province. I would have asked Minister Lacombe to comment, but his office declined The Gazette's interview request.
