CRTC hears debate on considering ‘cultural element’ when defining Canadian content [Video]

The federal broadcast regulator is considering whether it should include a “cultural element” in its new definition of Canadian content.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is holding a public hearing from May 14-27 in Gatineau, Que., that in part is looking at defining Canadian content.

The CRTC has said that while it’s leaning away from including a cultural element in its content test, it’s open to hearing other viewpoints during the two-week hearing.

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre said on Tuesday that the CRTC should stick to its current approach, which looks at whether Canadians are employed in key creative positions.

The consumers’ group pointed to the United Kingdom, noting it has a special institute to review and assess whether proposed cultural references in a production qualify as “sufficiently British.”

“We view a potential Canadian application of this approach, or any other cultural elements test, where a small …