The internet is one significant development that has impacted virtually every country globally. While enabling many others to thrive, the Internet has significantly disrupted several businesses. Startups that use the internet seem to perform better in Canada, just like in other countries.
Organizations or individuals earning online have testimonies to give about the internet, but the story is very different for the organization it sidelines. Bill C-11 appears to be advocating on behalf of companies whose business models are struggling to change to the digital age.
Read on to learn more about the Canadian Bill C-11.
Overview
The story of how foreign businesses disseminate Canadian music and stories even when they do not understand them was becoming a challenge. And this was because of the freedom of using the internet to advertise services.
Again, the relevance and credibility of what comes on air are becoming an issue as random persons publish information that might be misleading.
The proposed Bill C-11 aims to limit who and what users are allowed to do online in Canada. So what is Canada’s Bill C-11?
What is Canada Bill C-11?
The Online Streaming Act, or Bill C-11, would alter Canada’s broadcasting regulations and grant the nation’s broadcasting regulator new authority. During the 44th Canadian Parliament, a draft bill called the Online Streaming Act was presented. Minister of Canadian Heritage Steven Guilbeault unveiled it for the first time on November 3, 2020.
Bill C-10, which was approved by the House of Commons on June 22, 2021, was unable to pass the Senate before Parliament. But the Senate’s approval is still pending.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) oversees broadcasting laws in Canada. Bill C-11 would grant the CRTC new authority and the capacity to levy monetary fines. The fine will be levied against people and organizations that disobey certain rules or provisions of the Broadcasting Act.
What is the Objective of Canada Bill C-11?
The goal is to grant the CRTC new authority to control and slant videos, search results, podcasts, Netflix suggestions, and other content. This bill gives the CRTC the astoundingly broad authority to regulate virtually ALL audiovisual content on online platforms as broadcasting content.
This includes the most popular Netflix and YouTube content, TikTok videos, and Canadian podcasts. All of them fall under the purview of “broadcasting,” which is governed by CRTC broadcasting regulations.
By controlling certain activities that discourage reliance on electronic means of conducting business, it is allegedly possible to increase the effectiveness and adaptability of the Canadian economy.
Bill C-11 actually gives the CRTC authority over the internet in its actual operation. This implies that it will be biased and put social media under pressure.
Conclusion
C-11 is seen as a solution by some businesses to the government’s inaction that has allowed foreign online broadcasters to innovate in Canada. With the passage of Bill C-11, the government will regulate the internet in the same way that it already does with cable, television, and radio.
However, the bill promotes new regulatory authority for online services and modernizes the Commission’s authority to regulate traditional broadcasters.
