Canadian content, something we specialize in at CanadianCrossing.com, should have a debate in itself during the election. Here are some of the brewing stories where politicians should pay attention.
Pablo Rodriguez takes over as Heritage Minister from Melanie Joly
Mélanie Joly was a lot more visible as Heritage Minister. Pablo Rodriguez, the current heritage minister, has been in the chair for over a year. You might not have known that unless you read this blog.
The Harper Government had heritage ministers, 4 of them. They never seemed to make much of an impact in the 9 years in office.
The Liberals under Joly were against a Netflix tax. Rodriguez didn't say the words "Netflix tax" last month in Toronto but that certainly was the message. "Anyone who benefits should contribute, and that includes the big internet players. It’s only fair," said Rodriguez. "There are so many players in the industry, but they should all be treated equally if we are to maintain our culture."
A 3% value-added tax on advertising and digital services is in the Liberal Party platform for 2019. The tax would only apply to large companies with a minimum of $1 billion in revenues worldwide and Canadian revenues of more than $40 million (all Canadian $).
The Liberals say the government would collect $540 million in the first year.
"The Internet giants are making massive profits and using tax-avoidance schemes around the world to not pay their fair share," Justin Trudeau said. "We're going to ensure that revenue generated in Canada by those large corporations actually does get taxed and benefits our society."
Rodriguez was part of establishing a legislative review panel to update the Broadcasting Act for the digital times. The report is scheduled to come out in January.
The Netflix tax came up in the TVA debate. Jagmeet Singh said the NDP wants to do some kind of tax. Trudeau said the Liberals are now on board. Andrew Scheer said yes for the Conservatives. Yves-Francois Blanchet (Bloc Quebecois) said something about a penalty as opposed to a tax (the translation wasn't clear).
Elizabeth May (Green Party) was not invited to the TVA debate. May mentioned a similar tax during the English language Leaders Debates Commission debate.
The question came up in the French language Leaders Debates Commission debate with a general consensus on a tax. Blanchet spoke of a levy as opposed to a tax.
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Netflix says its $500 million (Canadian) film and TV spending commitment has been met 3 years ahead of schedule.
The streaming service said in a statement that the company "will continue to invest significantly in Canada. Our production in Canada has grown consistently over the last several years, and we expect to continue to produce at current levels."
As someone who lives in the United States, I'm not seeing the level of Canadian content from such a commitment by Netflix. The service signed on for CBC shows such as Anne with an E, Schitt's Creek, Workin' Moms, and Kim's Convenience. The search for Canadian content on Netflix doesn't take long and involves a number of projects that are Canadian but not visibly. Netflix did make a big deal about films such as Les Affames but that has been the exception.
The Writers Guild of Canada has serious doubts about Netflix's stance.
While Netflix's interest in Canadian TV shows is exemplary, the shows didn't need Netflix's money to be successful. Money well spent to get the rights to stream those shows, but that doesn't build new Canadian content that might have struggled otherwise.
CBC president and CEO Catherine Tait announced last week that the public broadcaster would no longer work with Netflix. "We’re not going to do deals that hurt the long-term viability of our domestic industry," Tait said on the Content Canada podcast.
The issue is about Netflix and other streaming services not paying into the Canada Media Fund. Canadian broadcasters are required to put 5% of their gross revenue into the fund. Netflix isn't required to put money into the fund.
Would the Conservatives change this Netflix deal? What about the NDP or Greens? Would the Bloc Quebecois care about Canadian content for English Canadians? Would Maxime Bernier care about Canadian content as long as it wasn't multicultural?
Helping CBC Part I: Show more Canadian content
Helping CBC Part II: Making money through cable channels
Helping CBC Part III: Filling programming holes
The Harper Government bashed CBC with words and severe funding cuts. The Conservative platform doesn't acknowledge the CBC or Radio-Canada. Andrew Scheer said earlier this year that he would scrutinize CBC news to make sure the public broadcaster is "focusing on Canadian stories."
Liberal Party: "strengthen the regional mandate of CBC/RadioCanada, so that local stations can broadcast more local news; and require CBC/RadioCanada to open up its digital platform, so that journalism start-ups and community newspapers can access affordable technology to develop and distribute local content"
NDP: "We'll also increase funding for CBC and Radio-Canada to help reverse the damage of decades of funding cuts under both Liberal and Conservative governments. Public broadcasting has a remarkable legacy of connecting all points of our country – and it needs to have an even stronger future now more than ever to help make sure that Canadians have access to accurate, relevant information no matter where they live."
Green Party: "Invest an additional $300 million per year in CBC and Radio Canada until the per-capita level of funding is equal to that of the BBC."
The parties have thoughts on other Canadian content elements. These are highlights from their platforms.
Liberals: "continue to support Canadian film by increasing annual funding for Telefilm Canada by nearly 50 per cent a year … introduce a new Cultural Diplomacy strategy, with at least one international mission each year to promote Canadian culture and creators around the world; and move forward, in our first year, with legislation that will take appropriate measures to ensure that all content providers – including internet giants – offer meaningful levels of Canadian content in their catalogues, contribute to the creation of Canadian content in both official languages, and promote this content and make it easily accessible on their platforms."
NDP: "We will make sure that arts and cultural institutions receive stable, long-term funding to grow and promote Canada’s diverse cultures and histories. We will also extend support to Canadian media to assist them in making the digital transition."
Greens: "Reform anti-trust laws to enable the break-up of media conglomerates. … Increase funding to all of Canada's arts and culture organizations including the Canada Council for the Arts, the National Film Board and Telefilm Canada. Review tax incentives for film production to ensure all parts of Canada are competitive and attractive to the industry, with incentives rising when Canadian artistic and technical talent are employed."
The Conservative Party platform only came out late on Friday before the long holiday weekend. There is little content of note and very vague general concepts. Odd that when "stories" are mentioned, film is part of "other media."
"To ensure that government programs and institutions support our cultural sector through changes in media and culture, we will work in a consultative way with the arts, music, film, and other industries to understand how government can adapt."
"Our culture is what binds us together as Canadians. Our shared identity stems from the stories we tell each other through music, television, art, and other media. Our cultural industries are a huge economic driver, creating over 765,000 jobs in our economy."
Promoting Canadian content shouldn't be partisan. Ideally, there would be a non-partisan group in place with long-term solutions and input from major parties included in the process.
Doug Ford Government axes Ontario Film Authority
Not getting a major distributor doesn't mean your film is banned
There should be a federal system that gives out film ratings. We criticized Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservative government in Ontario for chucking the Ontario Film Authority. Provinces shouldn't have to deal with this issue.
We've seen provinces wield their power to ban or restrict films over the years. Streaming services are outside provincial control but are making provinces far less relevant. Ontario is using British Columbia's system in the interim period.
The film ratings may not seem like a huge priority but the people who care about them the most — parents of children — are a highly sought after constituency.
Just Ask is a way for Canadian content creators to talk to politicians
2019 Canada election preview
This Liberal Party suggestion has little to do with film or television but does inspire young people to appreciate Canadian content. The election promise is to give every Canadian child a $200 "culture pass" when they turn 12 years old.
The idea comes from France where the value is €500 for those who turn 18.
The party said the pass would apply to "theatres, museums, galleries, workshops, and other cultural venues and local Canadian content."
Ottawa impressions over a 3-day trip
The Conservatives will provide free admission to Canada's national museums. The party said the inspiration comes from the free Smithsonian museums in Washington, DC.
Canada has 9 national museums, 7 in Ottawa/Gatineau, Quebec.
- National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa)
- Canadian War Museum (Ottawa)
- Canadian Museum of Nature (Ottawa)
- Canada Science and Technology Museum (Ottawa)
- Canada Aviation and Space Museum (Ottawa)
- Canada Agriculture Museum (Ottawa)
- Canadian Museum of History (Gatineau)
- Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 (Halifax)
- Canadian Museum for Human Rights (Winnipeg)
I've been to the National Gallery of Canada; Canadian Museum of History; Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21; and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
The Parliamentary Budget Officer says the cost would be about $20 million in 2020-2021.
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Canadians may want a Netflix tax. Canadians may want more CBC funding. Canadians may want the private networks (CTV, Global, Citytv) to devote more time to Canadian programming. Canadians should have those discussions with their politicians.
photos credit: Space/BBC America; Patrick Doyle/Canadian Press
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