Quebec eyes new bill to force online streaming giants to show more francophone content
Quebecers could soon see more homegrown content on streaming services like Netflix and Disney+.
The provincial government announced that it plans to introduce a new bill within the next year to force online streaming giants to add more made-in-Quebec media on their platforms. It was one of nine measures unveiled on Sunday under the province's plan to spend $603 million over five years to protect the French language in Quebec.
Culture Minister Mathieu Lacombe did not provide specifics of what would be inside the bill.
"We are working on it," he told reporters at a press conference in Montreal. "The goal is to make sure that when you're connecting on platforms on the internet, like Netflix, like Disney, the goal is for the users here in Quebec to have access more easily to Quebec's content, which is not the case right now."
The new funding will be aimed at nine priorities outlined by the government to boost the status of French. More than half of the money — $320 million — will be earmarked for ensuring temporary international workers speak and learn French. After immigration, culture is poised to get the second-largest chunk of the funding, at $187.3 million.
The Ministry of Culture and Communications and the Ministry of International Relations and Francophonie will both be tasked with increasing the availability and accessibility of Quebec francophone culture on digital platforms. According to the action plan unveiled Sunday, the two ministries will be responsible for providing "leadership and development international partnerships to ensure diversity of francophone culture content on digital platforms."
It's not clear how Quebec intends to force streaming giants to boost locally produced content on their services. The action plan mentioned it would develop international partnerships and that "the government is determined to use all the levers at its disposal to raise the profile of Quebec's francophone culture."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING World No. 1 golfer charged with police officer assault before PGA Championship second round
World number one golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested and charged with the assault of a police officer in what he called a 'chaotic situation' before being released in time to start his second round at the PGA Championship on Friday.
LIVE @ 11:30 MT Four 1970s homicides linked to serial killer, Alberta Mounties to reveal Friday
A dead serial sexual offender and killer has been linked to four homicides in the 1970s in Alberta, RCMP say.
With today's high rates, should you consider an interest-free halal mortgage?
A halal mortgage complies with the Islamic religious, or Shariah, law, which forbids the use of "riba" (interest). Here's what mortgage experts say those considering "no-interest" halal mortgages should know.
NEW What a wildfire survivor says she regrets not grabbing before leaving home
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
Newly mapped lost branch of the Nile could help solve long-standing pyramid mystery
Egypt’s Great Pyramid and other ancient monuments at Giza exist on an isolated strip of land at the edge of the Sahara Desert.
Wildfires are dampening against cool, rainy weather, but there's plenty left to contain
An opportune system of cool, wet weather Friday is dampening the spread of wildfires across Western Canada, but there's still plenty of work for responders and residents alike.
Ontario sees first measles death in more than a decade after young child dies
A young child has died of measles in Ontario, marking the first death in the province from the highly contagious virus in more than 10 years, a Public Health Ontario report confirms.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
One way Canadians are shrinking rising grocery bills
As the cost of food in Canada has risen, grocery shoppers are looking at ways to reduce their grocery bill, and more are choosing price over beauty, turning to companies that deliver so-called 'misfit' produce at a fraction of the cost.