Demand that Netflix and Disney pay their fair share!
Canadian broadcasters must spend 30% of their revenues on Canadian content like local news and Canadian stories. But internet broadcasters like Netflix, Disney, Amazon and Apple aren’t required to produce a single minute of Canadian content. They don’t even collect sales taxes in Canada!
In September 2017, the federal government patted itself on the back when Netflix announced a $100 million annual budget for productions made in Canada. But if Netflix were playing by the same rules as Canadian broadcasters, it would need to invest almost double this year, and even more in subsequent years as its revenue grows.
Think of the stories Canadians could tell if the government decided to enforce its own rules for internet broadcasters, content that reflects our society.
It's time for the Trudeau government to create a fair broadcasting system where foreign digital players like Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon and Apple pay their fair share to support Canadian culture and programming.