While we appreciate the Minister’s assurances that Bill C-11 is not meant to regulate user generated content, unfortunately the text of the Bill does not achieve that intent. The inclusion of “professional” content on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram will only disincentivize creators and emerging artists from being able to profit from their content.
The Bill’s broad and problematic definition of what is considered professional could still capture a huge amount of what Canadians upload to these platforms – including content where a creator receives ad revenue share, or where professional music is used in the background of a user’s video.
Even if individual creators are exempt from the law, regulating open platforms as broadcasters will require the platforms to prioritize content that qualifies as professional Canadian Content (CanCon). In practice, this means that platforms will have to promote traditional, established media voices over individual creators – putting digital creators at a disadvantage to Canadian broadcasters. Currently, it is virtually impossible for a digital first creator to qualify as CanCon, and C-11 provides no information on how that definition might be modernized.Rather than pitting one kind of creator against another, the Government should be encouraging Canadian Digital First Creators to seize the opportunity that open platforms provide. Creators should be encouraged to monetize their content, rather than penalized for being successful. Digital First Canada calls on Minister Rodriguez to support the success of Canada’s Digital First Creators by removing Section 4.2 from Bill C-11 and to work constructively with Digital First Creators to address our concerns.
6 comments
FDLRandom864
The Canadian government should not be doing this, they are the ones who want jobs, not tearing apart peoples loved jobs. Please don’t Canada.
Alessandro Mazzoni
I really don’t understand the meaning of this Bill, please don’t let don’t let Canadian creators’ internet content become inaccessible, as many of their content is highly rated and loved.
Alessandro Mazzoni
I don’t understand the meaning of this Bill, please don’t let don’t let Canadian creators’ internet content become inaccessible, as many of their content is highly rated and loved.
G
Please do everything you can to squash bill C11
I do not consent. Keep Canada free.
Sandra Prevost
I am a content creator of a disliked sort. The amount of Canadians that are a part of the cannabis related content creators on tiktok is huge. And we are discriminated against and penalized for our content. We have large creators and i am way over 10 thousand followers and not being able to be apart of the creator fund is not fair. As a Canadian…that would be honorable on tiktoks behalf to open that Avenue of revenue to the Canadian cannabis culture. We promote the benefits of this wonderous plant and share our knowledge freely. I’m not sure if this will make an impact or if I’m in the right place to speak up about the creator fund being open for Canadians soon but i tried. Thank you if you read this and have a great day.
Geo
“While we appreciate the Minister’s assurances that Bill C-11 is not meant to regulate user generated content, unfortunately the text of the Bill does not achieve that intent.”