U.S. Chamber Condemns Canada’s Online Streaming Act

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce strongly disapproves of Canada’s Online Streaming Act, as outlined in the recent CRTC Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2026-96. This Act mandates that select U.S. streaming services allocate 15% of their Canadian revenues to domestic programming and showcase Canadian content prominently on their platforms.

Neil Herrington, Senior Vice President for the U.S. Chamber’s Americas Department, expressed concerns about the Act, stating that it lacks flexibility for global streaming services and imposes rigid requirements that seem to target U.S.-based services. He also highlighted worries about how these measures align with Canada’s international trade agreements, specifically the USMCA.

The U.S. Chamber is calling on the Government of Canada and the CRTC to reconsider this approach and adopt a more fair and balanced framework that promotes Canadian cultural goals without impeding innovation, cross-border trade, or the economic relationship between Canada and the U.S.