CanConversations

What makes a piece of content “Canadian”? In an era where broadcasting is being reshaped by global streamers, that question has never mattered more. In this episode, Raj Shoan sits down with Tandy Yull, who has worked decades in Canadian broadcasting and cultural policy, to discuss what “Canadian” means and who gets to make that decision.

Raj and Tandy walk us through the machinery of CanCon, highlight why Canadian ownership and creative control are so important, why production in Canada is not the same thing as Canadian content, and why Canadian news programming is foundational to nation building in Canada.

About Tandy Yull:

Tandy Yull is the Vice President, Policy and Regulatory Affairs at the Canadian Broadcasters Association. She has spent decades working in Canadian broadcasting and cultural policy, including 23 years at the CRTC.

3 REASONS TO LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

1. Understand how Canadian content is defined, including the point system for Canadian TV, the MAPL system for music, and why some Canadian artists’ songs still don’t count as “CanCon”.
2. Hear a clear explanation of the issues at the heart of Canadian broadcasting and how the mass migration of audiences to streaming has affected Canadian entertainment and news programming.
3. Get a sense of what success for Canadian media can look like in an era of algorithms and streamers.

CLARIFICATIONS

[12:48] Tandy mentions that recent numbers shared by CRTC show “50% of Canadians aren't in this closed system anymore”. Per the CRTC statistics, 33% of households subscribe only to streaming services (i.e., have left the closed distribution system).

Source: Annual highlights of the broadcasting sector

RESOURCES

CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission)

Broadcasting Act

Online Streaming Act (Bill C-11)

MAPL system — how Canadian content is certified in music

Anne with an E poster controversy

Friends of Canadian Media

HIGHLIGHTS

[17:27] The regulatory quid pro quo: how Canadian programming gets paid for

“The regulatory quid pro quo is I'll give you a license, but in return, you're going to give me 30% of your revenue on Canadian programming for television for over-the-air television stations. 50% of their time still has to be devoted to Canadian programming. That's sort of the cost for doing business in Canada. And it's been in place since … at least 1968 when the CRTC was created.”

[25:20] Canadian ownership and creative control

“I don't know what's Canadian, but I'll know it when I see it. That's sort of the ethos of Canada... I think the stories are going to resonate more with Canadians if they're made by Canadians. And therefore, we go back to the idea of creative control. I think creative control is an important principle. And it comes in part from ownership. Plus, by the way, the first provision of the Canadian Broadcasting Act says predominantly owned and controlled by Canadians. It's the law.”

[22:27] The importance of news programming and streamers’ obligations

“It's critical to democracy and sovereignty... The streamers have appealed the CRTC's decision and there's a group of streamers that only appealed the obligation to contribute to news. Their logic is "We don't do news, why would we contribute to the news?" And that's what we would say is, "Well, you don't do news, therefore you need to spend on news," and help make up the gap that they created in the system.”

Thanks for listening to CanConversations, a podcast from Friends of Canadian Media in collaboration with The Walrus Lab.

Everything we do at Friends of Canada Media is supported by people who believe in strong journalism, public broadcasting, and stories that reflect who we are as Canadians.

And we do it without government funding, political ties, or corporate support. If that matters to you too, you can support us at friends.ca.

If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share with a friend!

Thank you for listening.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first of two special episodes marking the 90th anniversary of the CBC.

On November 2nd, 1936, the CBC aired for the first time. 90 years later, CanConversations looks back at the history of Canada’s national public broadcaster and how it has grown with shifting media technologies.

In this 90th anniversary episode, host Raj Shoan sits down with media policy analyst and author Howard Law to discuss the evolution of the CBC, where it stands today, and what it might look like tomorrow. They delve into the CBC’s fundamental purpose, its representations and criticisms, the challenges it faces in a crumbling media landscape dominated by global tech companies, and the importance of investing in Canadian public broadcasting.

About Howard Law:

Howard Law is the founder of MediaPolicy.ca. He is a media analyst, author, and former Director of Media at Unifor, representing thousands of journalists and media workers across Canada.

3 reasons to listen:

1. Learn about the history of the CBC and how it has evolved in its 90 years.
2. Hear about the CBC’s mandate to represent Canada’s diversity and contribute to a unified national identity amid increasingly polarized times.
3. Explore the future of public broadcasting in an era of algorithms, oversaturation of platforms, underfunding, and fragmentation.

Resources

CBC

MediaPolicy.ca

Broadcasting Act

Freedom Convoy 2022

Friends of Canadian Media

Highlights

[03:22] Reconciling diversity and shared national identity

"Canada is a dance between that unity and that diversity, and always has been. I think when you combine the idea of a national passion and the diversity of the country in terms of what you're delivering, the reason you're doing that is because Canadians have a foot in each community at the same time. They have a foot in Canada and they have a foot in whatever community they are in Canada. I think that what the CBC tries to do is try to share experiences of Canadians from different regions, communities, etc., with the other Canadians. And that's just part of our national life."

[13:37] Creating trust in a public broadcaster in a fragmented Canada

"You need to be able to cover all corners of the country so everybody feels like they're part of the coverage of CBC. And I think the other thing is you need to be bold, you need to be intellectually curious, that engages people. You need to be unafraid of political criticism, which is never gonna end."

[22:50] The importance of Canadian public broadcasting in the face of global tech companies

"U.S. tech companies and U.S. streamers have made it pretty clear that they will be dragged, screaming and kicking, into the era of making Canadian content prominent on their internet services. And until that attitude changes and changes for good, relying on them to deliver Canadian content to Canadians is fraught. It's very, very difficult."

Thanks for listening to CanConversations, a podcast from Friends of Canadian Media in collaboration with The Walrus Lab.

Everything we do at Friends of Canada Media is supported by people who believe in strong journalism, public broadcasting, and stories that reflect who we are as Canadians.

And we do it without government funding, political ties, or corporate support. If that matters to you too, you can support us at friends.ca.

If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share with a friend!

Thank you for listening.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can we protect Canadians from online harms? Online harassment doesn’t just affect the individual—it can have systemic effects on our institutional trust, our right to free expression, and even our democracy itself.

In the latest episode of CanConversations, host Raj Shoan talks to Rachel Gilmore, an independent journalist covering extremism and disinformation, about how Canadians can build a better Internet and protect our communities—and our sovereignty—from the greed and apathy of tech companies. Rachel has been at the forefront of reporting on online harms in Canada, and has firsthand experience of the real-world consequences of digital harassment.

In the episode, Rachel and Raj discuss how harassment risks silencing journalists, the problems with age-related social media bans, and what we can do to hold platforms accountable for their algorithmic actions.

About Rachel Gilmore:

Rachel Gilmore is an independent journalist who operates her own media company, Bubble Pop Media. She previously reported for CTV and Global News, and has written for publications including The Tyee and the National Observer. Rachel’s work focuses on human rights, disinformation and extremist movements.

Clarification:

[28:48] - Rachel says "The Arab Spring happened because of the internet."

There is quite a lot of debate around this idea, however many scholars do support this sentiment.

More on this topic: University of Washington | Al Jazeera | India Quarterly

Resources:

• Bubble Pop with Rachel Gilmore
• Rachel Gilmore on TikTok
• Bill C-34: The Safe Social Media Act
• Impact of online violence on women journalists
• Friends of Canadian Media
• The Walrus Lab

Three reasons you should listen to this episode:

1. Learn why protecting Canada’s digital sovereignty is essential to our democratic freedom
2. Hear about how age-related social media bans avoid holding tech companies accountable for the damage they cause
3. Discover how adding ‘friction’ to platforms can improve social media for everyone

Episode highlights:

04:52 How harassment can risk silencing journalists

Rachel discusses how online harassment disproportionately impacts marginalized journalists, particularly women and racialized journalists. She shares how efforts to protect journalists from harassment may risk shutting down their work instead, and discusses her fear that online harms might lead to self-censorship.

12:46 Learn how social media platforms reward anger and disinformation

Rachel explains how social media platforms reward anger and disinformation. She discusses how anger and conflict drive social media engagement, and thus potentially increase profits for tech companies.

14:52 Pros and cons of Canada’s Bill C-34: The Safe Social Media Act

Raj and Rachel outline the benefits and potential issues of Canada’s “latest attempt to create a comprehensive framework for online safety.” In particular, they discuss why age verification raises serious privacy concerns and may allow social media companies to sidestep taking responsibility for their algorithms.

20:50 A safer Internet doesn’t need to harm our freedom to expression

Rachel and Raj explain how we can protect individuals from harassment and discrimination, while protecting Canadians’ right to free expression. Rachel describes the distinction between “freedoms from” and “freedoms to,” noting that government regulation to protect our citizens doesn’t have to come at the expense of our freedoms.

Thanks for listening to CanConversations, a podcast from Friends of Canadian Media in collaboration with The Walrus Lab.

Everything we do at Friends of Canada Media is supported by people who believe in strong journalism, public broadcasting, and stories that reflect who we are as Canadians.

And we do it without government funding, political ties, or corporate support. If that matters to you too, you can support us at friends.ca.

If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share with a friend!

Thank you for listening.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when local news goes dark?

Canadian journalism isn’t merely news, it’s democratic infrastructure. Amid a world of big tech monopolies and misinformation, Canadian journalism is constantly fighting to ensure people are informed by trusted and verified sources. But this democratic infrastructure is actively breaking down. From advertising revenue loss to mass newsroom layoffs and closures, the Canadian media sphere is facing crises that are leaving behind countless news deserts.

In this episode of CanConversations, host Raj Shoan sits down with Randy Kitt, Director of Media at Unifor, to discuss the value of local news and the threats that stare it down every day. They discuss exactly how these threats impact local news, how legislation has both protected and eroded Canadian journalism, and the possibility of a sustainable news ecosystem for the future.

3 REASONS TO LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

1. Learn about the disappearance of local journalism in Canada and the structural problems that have eroded the industry.
2. Understand precisely how important local journalism is and how its absence will negatively impact Canadians.
3. Find out how journalism can become a sustainable ecosystem in the future and how it can be supported.

RESOURCES

Friends of Canadian Media

Unifor

Unifor’s Fact Check Here

RTDNA and ethical journalism

The Online News Act

The Online Streaming Act

Public Policy Forum’s “The Shattered Mirror”

CRTC and media regulations

GUEST BIO

Randy Kitt is the Director of Media at Unifor, Canada’s largest private sector trade union and largest media union, where he works to direct media policy and protect the rights of journalists and media workers. He is a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Radio and Television Arts program and has worked for organizations such as CTV, TSN, Discovery Channel, and Bell Media. Kitt has over two decades of experience in video production, news editing, show openings, features, documentaries, commercials and promotions.

CLARIFICATIONS

• [25:41] Raj and Randy used some imprecise language around the advertising tax deductibility changes. It was really about removing the deduction for foreign advertising rather than introducing a new deduction for Canadian ones. Nevertheless, the resulting benefit of the policy is the same; support for Canadian media entities in the face of American competition.
• [26:15] Raj mentions the Income Tax Act was “expanded” to Google and Meta. It was not an intentional expansion. Actually, this section of the Income Tax Act was never updated to reflect the new internet era with online platforms. So because it doesn't specifically preclude it, advertising on a foreign online platform/website by default makes it tax deductible. More info: Close the Loophole! The Deductibility of Foreign Internet Advertising
• [26:42] Raj expresses that we should “stop making Google and Meta eligible for a tax deduction that they weren't ever intended to receive.” To clarify, Google and Meta are not receiving tax deductions, rather it is Canadian businesses that are receiving the tax deductions for advertising on Google and Meta.

Thanks for listening to CanConversations, a podcast from Friends of Canadian Media in collaboration with The Walrus Lab.

Everything we do at Friends of Canada Media is supported by people who believe in strong journalism, public broadcasting, and stories that reflect who we are as Canadians. And we do it without government funding, political ties, or corporate support. If that matters to you too, you can support us at friends.ca.

If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share with a friend! Thank you for listening.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who will shape Canada's media future? And is our democracy and sovereignty at risk?

Welcome to CanConversations, a new podcast from Friends of Canadian Media and The Walrus Lab, hosted by FOCM Executive Director Raj Shoan.

In our first episode, we discuss the state of Canadian media, its history, and its future. Joined by communications lawyer, Peter Miller and Executive Director of The Walrus, Jennifer Hollett, we explore how Canada has historically protected its broadcasting systems and ownership.

In the last two decades, with the rise of the Internet and American companies dominating media, Canadians have less control over the content they see and where it comes from.

With the decline of local news, the difficulty of enforcing traditional regulation on the Internet, and the threats Canada faces from Donald Trump, it's time for a renewed conversation about Canadian independence and cultural sovereignty.

About Jennifer Hollett

Jennifer Hollett is the Executive Director of The Walrus, the former head of news and government for Twitter in Canada, and a former MuchMusic VJ.

She won a Canadian Online Publishing Award for her work hosting CBC’s G20 Street Level blog during the G20 Summit in Toronto, and was recognized by Amnesty International Canada with a 2009 Media Award for her CBC radio reporting from Israel and Palestine. She has appeared frequently as a commentator on CTV, CBC, and Newstalk 1010.

About Peter Miller

Peter Miller is a communications and broadcast lawyer with over 30 years of experience in media and telecommunications, public policy, planning, and development. He serves as an advisor to Friends of Canadian Media.

Resources

CRTC and media regulations

The Online News Act

Local Independent Television Stations (LITS) Group's effort to challenge The Online News Act

Protecting Canada’s cultural sovereignty

Friends of Canadian Media

The Walrus Lab

Three reasons you should listen to this episode

1. Learn about threats to the Canadian media ecosystem and why it's more important than ever to support Canadian media.

2. Discover the history of Canadian broadcasting systems, including simultaneous substitution and advertising tax deductibility, and how these regulations are not applied to US internet companies, such as Netflix, Meta, and Google.

3. Hear about how much media policy matters, and how it plays a role in everyday life, even if you don't realize it

Episode highlights

1:10 Why Canadian Media matters to democracy

Peter and Jennifer highlight how, in the last decade, the importance of a healthy media ecosystem has become connected to the issue of Canadian democracy. They detail the significance of Canadians having complete sovereignty over our media and the often invisible policy needed to ensure that is the case.

14:36 What can be done to protect Canadian media

Peter shares the history of Canadian broadcasting standards, including simultaneous substitution and advertising tax deductibility, which encouraged Canadian businesses to advertise on Canadian broadcasters. He highlights how, in the last two decades, these measures have been challenged by the internet, and rights protections, like those of the broadcasting system, do not exist in the internet space.

22:27 Donald Trump and threats to Canadian media

The guests discuss how the U.S. threatens Canadian media and how Canadians are banding together to support our media sovereignty, including public broadcasting, print media, and digital media.

Thanks for listening to CanConversations, a podcast from Friends of Canadian Media in collaboration with The Walrus Lab.

Everything we do at Friends of Canada Media is supported by people who believe in strong journalism, public broadcasting, and stories that reflect who we are as Canadians.

And we do it without government funding, political ties, or corporate support. If that matters to you too, you can support us at friends.ca.

If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share with a friend!

Thank you for listening.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to CanConversations, the podcast about Canadian media behind the scenes, and how you can be a part of it.

Come with us as we pull back the curtain on the fight for Canada's cultural sovereignty. In the inaugural season, we trace how algorithms, American streamers, and shuttered newsrooms are reshaping what Canadians watch, read, and share. We'll explore the challenges faced by local journalists, the battle over online harm, and the future of Canadian storytelling and public broadcasting.

There's a conversation to be had about who gets to tell stories in Canada and who profits from them. We invite you to join that conversation.

From Friends of Canadian Media, in partnership with The Walrus Lab.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.