Canadian debate over streaming services moves venues

Significance

C-18, a second, related bill that would require internet companies to compensate Canadian journalistic enterprises for use of their content, is currently before a Senate committee but is also expected to become law as the Online News Act. Both bills have proven controversial, taking longer than expected to complete the parliamentary process.

Impacts

• Established Canadian journalism will be helped by the Online News Act and local news operations, in particular, should benefit.
• Public outrage will subside as it becomes clear that the bills do not, as critics claim, regulate the content of online speech.
• Facebook, Google and other large platforms may still protest, but will eventually reach favourable terms with Canadian media companies.
• The CRTC will quickly become one of the most powerful regulators in the country.
• If the Conservatives win the next election, they will revisit the two acts to mollify their base but are unlikely to scrap them entirely.