Ten years ago I testified at the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission's (CRTC) New Media hearings in Ottawa and argued that they should not regulate Canadian Internet content. I stand by that decision and they did not regulate Canadian Internet content at that time.
Today the CRTC held its first hearing in 10 years to consider a new proposal that would see a $100-million fund created to support Canadian content on the Internet. That fund would be created by a levy on the Internet Service Providers who of course would then pass it on to the consumer. What really irks me about this discussion other than an increase in my monthly internet service provider bill, is that the content this fund would create is Canadian online video programming from Canadian television production companies. Don't we already subsidize Canadian television production companies? Why can't they just take their existing content and broadcast it on YouTube? Hey, they already do! And if more people are watching video online then in front of their TV's then why not shift some of their exsiting budget towards more online video? Creating a fund that will pay for doing something the television production industry should already be doing is ridiculous.
If the CRTC insists on meddling with New Media then why not create an online technology development fund that companies can draw on to create more high tech products made in Canada and marketed globally. This would create new jobs in the high tech industry helping position Canada as a leader in whatever sectors these companies enter. The fund should not be passed on to the consumer through Internet Service Providers though. It should come in the form of a new tax credit or other mechanism.
If the CRTC deems to impose this levy (read tax) then I will support the companies that fight this though legal channels.
- Follow the CRTC New Media Hearings Day 2 on the live Globe and Mail blog.