Music Canada submitted CRTC’s consultation on “The Way Forward – Supporting Canadian and Indigenous Audio Content.”
This week, Music Canada responded in detail to CRTC as part of its consultation on “The Way Forward – Supporting Canadian and Local Audio Content.”
We have meaningful participation throughout the regulatory process of CRTC, as the regulation of the music stream may have a profound impact on the Canadian music industry. The program believes that it introduces regulations that may affect the core characteristics of music streaming consumer experience – experiences accepted by Canadian audiences and supports a market that is driving the growth and investment of new Canadian and Indigenous artists.
CRTC is important to this.
Our submission outlines many key principles to inform the modern regulatory framework for developing music streams. We believe that these principles are necessary to ensure that the regulatory framework is aligned with the unique characteristics of the global and competitive music streaming market where Canadian and Indigenous artists are trying to succeed:
- Music streaming is a key revenue driver for the Canadian music recording industry and regulations should be carefully calibrated to support rather than hinder its growth.
- Music streaming platforms have established methods to promote Canadian music, and regulatory frameworks should recognize, reflect and inspire these business models;
- The regulatory framework of music streams should help Canadian and Indigenous artists compete on a competitive global stage, where consumers can listen to nearly any song recorded.
- Radio rules are designed for radios; they don’t work for music streaming;
- User choices must be protected, otherwise we risk bringing our listeners back to piracy, and the artist is not paid when playing music; and
- Discoverability means promoting Canadian and Indigenous music, rather than instructing Canadians to listen to what to listen to.
Read the full submission of Music Canada here: https://musiccanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/music-canada-submission-to-crtc-bnc-bnc-2025-52.pd2
