WHILE CANADA’S CREATIVE COMMUNITY was quick to applaud Monday’s decision referring back the CRTC’s group licence renewal (GLR) decisions for Canada’s large private television broadcasters, some members are hoping that the review will encompass more than Programs of National Interest (PNI).
In a joint press release, the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA), Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) and the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) noted that other challenges to the GLR decisions that formed the basis of their joint petition were not addressed in Monday’s announcement. These include the removal of independent production obligations on non-PNI programming, evening exhibition requirements for broadcasters’ discretionary services, and the “negative consequences of the CRTC’s failure to address the erosion of independently-produced programming”.
“We applaud Minister Joly for having the CRTC reconsider its decision to allow the broadcasters to dramatically reduce their investment in key genres of Canadian programming”, said CMPA chair and Shaftesbury’s SVP business and legal affairs Scott Garvie, in the release. “We urge the CRTC to overturn its decision and maintain regulatory requirements that have entertained Canadian and global audiences with great Canadian shows. At the same time, we urge the Minister to take concrete measures to prevent large broadcasters from using their market power to kill competition, reduce programming diversity, and appropriate Canadians’ hard-earned dollars for themselves.”
DGC president Tim Southam expressed hope that the move is “a sign of a permanent break with the previous government’s policies on culture”, while ACTRA National executive director Stephen Waddell called it “a real victory for the thousands of Canadians who stepped up and spoke out to defend Canadian storytelling”.
“However, there is still work to be done”, Waddell continued. “The CRTC is in dire need of a new mandate that protects Canadian culture and the jobs of cultural workers; understands the challenges of our film and television sector; and ensures Canadian stories can continue to be shared on screens in Canada and around the world.”
In a separate statement, the Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) said the decision demonstrates that “Minister Joly has reaffirmed the importance of scripted programs”, and added that it looks forward to her vision for the creative sector which is expected to be unveiled this fall.
“We’re hopeful that with new leadership at the CRTC under Chairperson Ian Scott and Vice-Chairperson (Broadcasting) Caroline J. Simard, the CRTC will adopt a forward thinking, balanced approach with regards to all broadcasting policies,” said WGC executive director Maureen Parker, in the statement. “The CRTC already has data co-commissioned by the WGC that clearly demonstrates what minimum PNI spending should be. Now it has the opportunity to ensure that the success of Canadian programming can continue.”
Luc Fortin, Minister of Culture and Communications and Minister responsible for the Protection and Promotion of the French Language, also welcomed the move, referencing his June 27th brief that called for a review of the CRTC decisions which he described as inconsistent with the objectives of Canadian broadcasting policy due to their failure to take into account the specificity of the Francophone market.
"I am very pleased to hear that the federal government has responded to my request for reconsideration”, said Minister Fortin in a statement (translated). “This is a significant gain for the cultural community. The presence of a high level of original French-language programming in the Quebec market is essential to the achievement of the objectives of Canadian broadcasting policy.”
