Montreal, May 16, 2025 – This morning, on behalf of the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), Government Film Commissioner and NFB Chairperson Suzanne Guèvremont argued for the need to include cultural elements in the definition of Canadian programming. She also spoke to the vital role that documentary film plays in Canada.

These remarks were made to the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) as part of its hearings on the definition of Canadian programming. The hearings are taking place in Ottawa and run until May 27, 2025.

According to Ms. Guèvremont, “A modern Canadian content policy must not abandon the very thing that gives our stories meaning: cultural elements. They reflect our creativity, diversity and uniqueness. Removing cultural elements creates invisibility.”

Here is a summary of her presentation:

In favour of clear and unambiguous cultural criteria for works that receive public funding

• The perspective, language, values and people that make up the country give meaning to its stories. Omitting these elements, under the pretext of openness or neutrality, would erase what makes Canada unique;

• Canada should draw inspiration from other countries where public funding is conditional on cultural criteria. These structured approaches foster creativity while ensuring an authentic and cohesive representation of the country and its population;

• In the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, New Zealand, France, Spain, Germany and Australia, among others, the granting of public money for audiovisual productions is conditional on some form of cultural test.

Longform documentary must be considered nationally significant programming

• Documentary is a vehicle for national identity, civic participation and collective understanding, comparable to news;
• Removing it from nationally significant programming would not only jeopardize its funding and distribution but also deprive the public of an essential mirror to understand the country;
• Protecting documentary means protecting the space where Canada sees itself most clearly.

In conclusion, Ms. Guèvremont said, “We cannot wait to redefine Canadian content. Let us move forward. Not with caution, but with conviction!”

Agendas for the public hearings, taking place May 14 to May 27, 2025, are available here:
https://crtc.gc.ca/broadcast/eng/hearings/2025/ag14_05.htm

Hearings are broadcast live and recordings are available:
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission | CRTC or CRTC Hearings | CPAC.ca

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Associated Links

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation – CRTC 2024-288
Related Documents (written intervention by the NFB)

 

French version here | Version française ici.