OTTAWA – The federal broadcast regulator has released a new definition of Canadian content — and it says artificial intelligence can’t qualify.
The new definition maintains the same approach as the previous one by using a points system to determine whether something is Cancon based on the number of Canadians occupying key creative positions in a production.
The modernized definition expands the list of positions that count toward the total to include jobs like showrunner, special effects director and head of costuming.
The CRTC also specifies those roles must be staffed by humans, not AI.
The definition, which applies to both traditional media and online streaming services, was released after a two-week public hearing the regulator held on the issue earlier this year.
The decision is part of the CRTC’s ongoing work to implement the Online Streaming Act, which updated broadcasting laws to capture online platforms like Netflix.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 18, 2025.
