CRTC to examine CanCon rules for audio in June hearings

The CRTC is undertaking proceedings to consider the Canadian content regulations for audio services. The updated rules will cover radio and streaming services and are part of the re-examination spurred by passage of the Online Streaming Act. The commission is seeking input on defining Canadian musical selection, who is an emerging artist, and what constitutes Francophone vocal music. The proceedings will also look at the contribution regime supporting Canadian music. Finally, the regulator wants to investigate how artificial intelligence (AI) will affect the audio music industry. The commission first announced its intention to review the process last fall. Interventions must be filed with the CRTC by April 7. Public hearings are to start on June 18. One candidate for revision is the definition of what constitutes Canadian content (CanCon). Currently, music must match two of four MAPL points: Music (composed by a Canadian); Artist (must be Canadian); Performance (recorded in Canada); and Lyrics (written by a Canadian). Commission vice-president of broadcasting Scott Shortliffe said Thursday, Feb. 20 that consideration was given to dropping the performance requirement three years ago but any changes were put on the shelf due to the government’s introduction of the Online Streaming Act. Since the Act would update so much of the broadcast world, it was thought beneficial to hold off on changes to the MAPL regime. “The preliminary view is that we should go forward with, still MAPL, but drop the P. So it would be Music, Artist, Lyrics,” Shortliffe told a briefing. “At the same time we’re going to ask questions whether that’s appropriate. We’re going to see whether the P, as some people said, could be replaced instead of being where the performance is, make it the producer.” In 1991, the issue came to a head when Kingston, Ont.-born Bryan Adams released his album Waking Up the Neighbours. He is Canadian, but the album was recorded in Britain and the music and lyrics were co-written with South African producer Mutt Lange. It was determined that Adams’ record only fulfilled one of the MAPL points and thus was not eligible to be considered CanCon. That same year, Burbank, Calif.’s Bonnie Raitt issued the song “Something to Talk About.” She isn’t Canadian but the songwriter, Shirley Eikhard, was. Because the Music and Lyrics MAPL points were achieved, the single became CanCon. Later that year, the regulations were tweaked so a Canadian co-writing music or lyrics with a citizen of another nation could still be considered as fulfilling the MAPL points. When it comes to paying into the fund for Canadian music, much discussion is underway, Shortliffe asserted. Traditional broadcasters and streamers should both pay, he said, but perhaps not in the same manner. He pointed to BCE Inc., which owns conventional television and radio stations, and contrasted it with Apple Inc., which streams television shows and audio music but does not have a traditional network. READ MORE: - Audio streamers’ group, Canadian advocacy org disagree on Streaming Act ‘tax’ - Coordinated effort is ‘essential’ in tackling AI policy issues, says Canadian Digital Regulators Forum Looking at the AI influence is paramount, the CRTC VP maintained. When the Online Streaming Act was first introduced, AI was not a factor – that has changed. “In 2025, it is hard to have a discussion about the future of the industry where you don’t look at artificial intelligence,” he stated. “We in the commission don’t know how artificial intelligence is going to change the music industry, the news industry, and audio services, but we know we need to ask questions about it.” Shortliffe expects the audio hearing to be finalized by this fall. ppark@thewirereport.ca

CRTC to examine CanCon rules for audio in June hearings

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By Paul Park
| February 20, 2025

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CRTC to examine CanCon rules for audio in June hearings

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By Paul Park
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