Quebec to Impose Quotas For French-Language Content On Streaming Platforms

Quebec may soon be getting stricter language regulations on streaming services.

Quebec Culture Minister Mathieu Lacombe tabled a new bill on Wednesday (May 21) that aims to add more French-language content to major streaming platforms, as well as increasing its discoverability and accessibility by establishing quotas. The bill will directly impact platforms that offer media content such as music, TV, video and audiobooks, including giants like Netflix and Spotify.

Lacombe wants to push French-language and Quebec content to the forefront on these apps, and says it is not always readily available. He pointed out that consumption of local and French-language content is low, comprising just 8.5% of the music streamed in Quebec.

"Discoverability means being able to stumble across something, to discover it when you weren't actively looking for it," he said in a press conference, per CBC.

In accordance with the bill, platforms would have to display their default interfaces in French within the province, also including platforms that produce original French-language content within that selection. Companies that disobey the rules could face financial penalties, although Lacombe says that those who cannot comply due to their business model can enter a deal with the Quebec government to establish "substitute rules."

The bill states that the Quebec government would have to establish content proportions or quotas on how much content needs to be produced or featured on these platforms, although no numbers were specified.

Bill 109, titled An Act to affirm the cultural sovereignty of Quebec and to enact the Act respecting the discoverability of French-language cultural content in the digital environment, will be closely tied to existing Quebec legislation and institutions. All platforms will be required to register with the Minister of Culture and Communications and the bill will amend the right to access French-language cultural content in the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.

While Quebec is tightening regulations, the streaming services are already pushing back against existing content policies, arguing that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) should not impose content obligations upon them. A CRTC hearing is currently underway from May 14 to 27 to outline a new definition of Canadian Content (CanCon), including regulations.

Major companies have been pushing back against the CRTC's implementation the Online Streaming Act in the hearing, which includes a plan to require major foreign streaming companies to invest into Canadian Content funds.

The hearing continues.