CANADA – Many Canadians are upset about Bill C-11 and the potentially damaging effects it could have in Canada. But how will this bill impact Canadians, and what will it change? This week we’re digging into all of that with Youtube’s Chief Product Officer, Neal Mohan!
“It’s the first bill of its kind that literally could have government regulators mandating or intervening in the type of content that Canadian citizens all over the country get and know and love about Youtube,” Mohan explained.
Youtube Response to Bill C-11
Youtube officials are concerned about the impact that Bill C-11 will have on the creator industry in Canada.
“The latest is that I still have concerns about the inadvertent impact on creators to their livelihoods, to the audiences that they’re building,” Mohan explained, adding that this will impact all creators significantly.
He explained his concerns about the impact this will have on both viewers and creators on Youtube, Mohan feels as though it’s important for Canadians to understand what Bill C-11 is.
“There’s a real concern from my standpoint because the bill as it’s written today doesn’t exclude this type of content,” Mohan shared, referring to content on platforms like Youtube.
But the Youtube team has suggested a few changes to the Bill.
“A couple of small amendments to the bill will allow it to accomplish what it looks to do from a broad framework standpoint,” he shared, explaining that one change would include making sure that user-generated content from Youtubers is exempt from Bill C-11.
They also want to stop the regulators from having the power to interfere with the recommendations that viewers get when they open the Youtube app.
“The recommendations, the videos that show up in your home feed, that show up after you’re done watching a video on Youtube, they’re based on the personal preferences, the types of videos that you watch on the platform,” Mohan explained, adding that their team does not want the government to be able to change that.
I think there are a couple of small amendments that could be modified in the bill that would do all things possible to affect creators but also not have this detrimental impact on viewers,” he continued.
Creator Economy in Canada
A recent report shows that the Canadian creator economy on Youtube is no joke! Data from Youtube shows that the platform’s creative ecosystem generated $1.1 billion for the Canadian economy in 2021. Additionally, it also created 34,600 full-time jobs.
Data shows that Canadian content is gaining popularity, and quickly! In Canada, the number of YouTube channels making $100,000+ yearly is up 35%. As well, there was a big jump in the number of popular channels. Canadian channels with over a million followers are up by more than 20%.
Meantime, other people are watching! The study found that over 90% of watch time for Canadian content came from outside of the country!
Bill C-11: Canadian Response Online
Many people are concerned about the implications of Bill C-11.
“Bill C-11 so bad I’m gonna be moving to the states if it goes through sadly,” shared one content creator on Twitter.
“Bill C-11 is nothing more than silencing the truth and strengthening the narrative,” said someone else.
While others are in agreement with the new bill.
“Canadian government is protective of Canadian culture, promotes Canadian media in broadcasting. C 11 would mean this applies to YouTube as well and that only content considered Canadian enough will be promoted to a Canadian audience,” shared one person.
“Seems the only people upset with Bill C-11 passing are the people who constantly spew their bullshit all over the internet. Good news is they can resort back to what they use to do which is sit on park benches yelling their ideas to passing seagulls and geese,” posted another.
Bill C-11 The Canadian Government Response
Canada’s Ministry of Heritage has responded to our report with the following:
“The Broadcasting Act needs to reflect today’s digital reality. The Online Streaming Act will ensure that streaming services showcase Canadian music and stories, as well as support our creators and producers.
The Act does not apply to individual Canadians, whether they are users, online creators or digital influencers. Section 4.1 (1) specifically states that “this Act does not apply in respect of a program that is uploaded to an online undertaking that provides a social media service by a user of the service for transmission over the Internet and reception by other users of the service.” The Act may apply to YouTube to the extent it is distributing commercial content, such as full-length music videos.
The Government does not assume that YouTube will necessarily be required to tweak its algorithm. There are other meaningful actions that it could take to increase the visibility of Canadian artists and music, including training for artists, thematic playlists, visibility on landing pages, or dedicated advertising space. The exact way that YouTube is expected to contribute would be determined through a regulatory proceeding, with the possibility for all affected stakeholders, including YouTube, to put forward their ideas. Section 9.1 (8) specifically states that “the Commission shall not make an order under paragraph (1)(e) that would require the use of a specific computer algorithm or source code.”
Brandon and Neal dig into the Youtube partner program, the monetization of reels, and the takedown of TikTok on this episode of The Brandon Gonez Show! Let us know in the comments, how do you feel about Bill C-11?
Want to know more? We broke down Bill C-11 earlier this year!
