Feds Say Online Streaming Act Will Not Apply to Individual Podcasts, Streamers

Critics say the policy directive will not dissuade concerns of ‘over-broad regulation’ inherent in the act.

Minister of Canadian Heritage Pascale St-Onge in a file photo. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang

The Online Streaming Act will not apply to individual content creators such as podcasters and streamers, according to the final policy direction for the legislation released by the Department of Canadian Heritage on Nov. 14.

“The sector needs to adapt to where the Canadian public is today. And we know Canadians look for their news and content online,” Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge told reporters in Montreal on Nov. 14. “This is a really important step to modernize this sector and to make sure that our Canadian voices are strong and alive in the online world.”