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April 11, 2022 1:13 pm  #1


What Counts As CanCon Under Coming New Rules? It's Not A Simple Answer

I will never support the likely-to-be-passed Bill C-11, that tries to bend the Internet into a new Broadcasting Act, but if and when it comes into effect, there are some unanswered questions about what exactly qualifies as Canadian Content.

The answer, it turns out, isn't as simple as just having a TV show or movie made here starring Canuck talent. In fact, many of the more famous flicks that boast a host of Canadian names don't qualify for the designation. Although you might think they'd want to work that out before they pass a new law that regulates it.

"It's one of the most restrictive, narrowly defined systems in the world, even excluding Canadian authors," said [Michael Geist, Canada Research Chair in internet and e-commerce law at the University of Ottawa,] pointing to The Handmaid's Tale, a hit TV adaptation of the novel by Canadian author Margaret Atwood, which did not count as a Canadian production."

"...Marvel's Deadpool, starring Canadian A-lister Ryan Reynolds, is based on a Canadian comic book character and was filmed in Vancouver. Canadian Paul Wernick co-wrote the screenplay. Yet Deadpool did not qualify as Canadian under the rules of the Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office. Those rules require a Canadian producer and a Canadian director or screenwriter. Points are awarded for the number of Canadians in leading roles or other key creative positions. Canadians must also feature prominently in the production and post-production."

Streamers may be required to feature more Cancon. But what should qualify as Canadian?