6 Comments

I understood that these same of provisions already apply to Netflix and friends in Europe, and that’s why we see such high quality foreign language programming on Netflix (Occupied, Dark, Bergen, etc.). Is my understanding wrong? Please do a bit more work Peter, and bring more of a comparative analysis to your article.

Expand full comment

I know France and others have arrangements with Netflix but not all countries regulate content on the Internet - the United States for instance. I might be wrong but I think most of those deals were negotiated. China does, for sure. You can only upload to Youtube there. Turkey recently lined something up. But saying bad things about Attaturk is also banned on the Internet. Iran regulates it, for sure. OECD has been working on a taxation solution, which is long overdue. I did compare: the greatest period of prosperity in the history of the industry at over $9 billion. So now it can shrink back down to a $5-$6 billion industry and the responsibility for funding Canadian film and television has been exported. Very good chance the big cable companies will get their burden lessened out of this. That's likely the long game.

Expand full comment

Great. More useless content I won't watch.

Expand full comment

Sigh. There's not a single assertion about dire consequences in this article that is supported by any evidence or examples, whatsoever.

The CanCon regulations and specific tax regimes regarding music, television, and film have not--and still don't--suppress freedom, stifle innovation and creativity, or quash investment. CanCon policies, in fact, do the exact opposite. The evidence is blatantly obvious to all who would see in Canada's thriving film, television, and music industries. None of Peter Menzies' fears have been realized anywhere in the 'free' world, ever.

But, I may be wrong, Anytime Peter Menzies (a fellow of a right wing 'think' tank) wants to revisit his views and share with us evidence and real world examples that support them, it would be OK with me.

Expand full comment

I’m sorry but the facts are the facts. The industry has thrived. You can look all that up in the CMPA report - most recently 2019. There is no crisis in Cancon and there is no discoverability problem. You can also check Michael Geist and groups like the Internet Society of Canada. And let’s leave right/left out of it. This is about progress whether people adapt

Expand full comment

Thank you for your comment. Yes, the facts are the facts. And, when you provide some I, for one, would be very appreciative. So, far all you've provided are unsubstantiated claims of dire consequences. You're employing the same species of argument that has been used to deny people the vote, avoid equal pay for equal work, block same sex marriage, and lobby against proportional representation.

Expand full comment