An overwhelming 83 per cent of Canadians support the Online Streaming Act (OSA), according to a recent survey conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights and commissioned by the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA).
Conducted between February 19 and 24, the online survey of 2,410 adult Canadian residents found Canadians support the OSA across political lines, including 94 per cent of Liberal voters, 85 per cent of NDP voters, 65 per cent of Conservative voters, and in Quebec, 95 per cent of Bloc Quebecois voters. Among undecided voters, 90 per cent support the legislation, according to the survey.
Support for the OSA — which requires foreign streaming companies to contribute financially toward the production of Canadian content — is consistently strong across Canada, the survey found, with 81 per cent in British Columbia supporting the legislation, 77 per cent in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, 84 per cent in Ontario, 88 per cent in Quebec and 79 per cent in the Atlantic provinces.
In addition, looking ahead to upcoming trade negotiations with the United States, the survey found Canadians believe the federal government should protect the OSA and stand up for Canada’s digital sovereignty. Nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) of Canadians surveyed said the government of Canada should stand firm on its cultural policies and digital sovereignty, even if it complicates U.S. trade negotiations.
Three-quarters (74 per cent) of Canadians are concerned about foreign technology companies having significant control over the content Canadians see online, according to the survey. Furthermore, 73 per cent of Canadians surveyed agree Canada has the right to set the rules for digital platforms operating within its borders, even if those companies are headquartered outside the country.
“These results show that Canadians understand the importance of defending Canada’s cultural sovereignty and our digital future,” Reynolds Mastin, CMPA president and CEO, said in a Monday press release announcing the survey’s findings. “Standing up for the Online Streaming Act is standing up for Canada, and doing so will ensure more Canadian stories are produced for the screen, and that the sector will create jobs and drive long-term economic growth.”
