Canadian Senate passes bill to compel local content on streaming giants

Canada’s Senate on Thursday passed the government’s online streaming legislation after a 10-month debate over a law that will force firms like Netflix and Alphabet Inc-owned YouTube to offer more Canadian content.

Bill C-11, or the Online Streaming Act, cleared the unelected upper chamber of the Canadian parliament with 52 votes to 16 and one abstention. With the Senate’s approval, the bill just needs royal assent from the governor general to become law.

The legislation aims to bring the likes of Spotify, Disney+ and other online streaming platforms under the stewardship of broadcasting regulator CRTC and hold them to the Canadian content requirements that apply to TV and Radio channels.