That was the headline of a press release from the CRTC on Monday, which I have to admit sent a chill down my spine. 

It appears they're wasting no time in getting ready to implement Bill C-11, the so-called Internet Broadcasting law that was passed earlier this month, after years of controversy and debate. It will force Canadian Content to be "discoverable" on streaming sites like Netflix and YouTube, much to the fears of those who create content that may not be seen as falling under the definition of what constitutes "Canadian."

The CRTC says it intends to hold public consultations on how best to implement the new law, a process that will come in several phases.

Here are a few highlights - if you can call them that.

In the Spring of 2023, where we are now:

--Consultation on registration of online streaming services: This consultation will consider which online streaming services will need to be registered with the CRTC.

("Need to register with the CRTC." Does this phrasing sound ominous to anyone else besides me? Although to be fair, the CRTC says it will require registration only for online streaming services that have more than $10 million in annual revenues in Canada. We'll see.) 

Winter 2023 

This is when the real heavy lifting begins. What's decided in these hearings may well change the Canadian broadcasting landscape forever. 

--Consultation on definitions of Canadian and Indigenous content: This consultation would review the definition of Canadian content and examine possible changes.

--Consultation on tools to support Canadian music and other audio content: This consultation would assess tools to support Canadian audio content.

--Consultation on programming and supports for video content: This consultation would assess tools to develop, support, and promote Canadian and Indigenous content on all platforms.

--Consultation on local markets access and competition: This consultation would evaluate market access, news and local programming, and competitive behaviours.

-Consultation on protecting Canadian consumers: This consultation would review ways to protect consumers and include broadcaster codes of conduct and mechanisms for complaints.

(Are they planning to change how CanCon is defined? If so, how do they determine that? What do they mean by "competitive behaviours?" And are they planning to replace or change the CBSC, which they don't currently control? These are the parts of the decision phase that make me the most nervous.)

They expect to have most of this implemented by late 2024, by which time your streaming choices may start to look a lot different. 

There is a ton more, and if you don't mind a little bureaucratese, you can read it all here. Regardless, this will be the biggest change to Canadian broadcasting in decades, if not in history. Ready or not, here it comes. 

Also from the CRTC:

Myths and Facts about Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act  

Statement by the CRTC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Vicky Eatrides, on the Online Streaming Act

Related:

Opinion Piece On Bill C-11 Comes With An Unexpected Twist