Cultural Policy Hub brings industry leaders together

OCAD University’s Cultural Policy Hub is hosting an online event open to the public on Jan. 25 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Hearings & Listening: A Bill C-11 Roundtable will bring industry leaders together to discuss the Online Streaming Act and the government’s direction to the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

The Act, and the government’s direction to the CRTC, set new expectations on the CRTC for participation of Indigenous persons and “meaningful engagement” of Black and other racialized groups in the broadcasting system.

Join Moderator Elamin Abdelmahmoud (host of CBC’s Commotion) and panelists Kadon Douglas (BIPOC TV & Film), Sally Lee (Canadian Independent Screen Fund) and Kerry Swanson (Indigenous Screen Office) as they reflect on their experiences at the recent Bill C-11 hearing and pathways to ensure meaningful engagement and outcomes.

Register for the event on Eventbrite.

BACKGROUND

In 2023, for the first time in 30 years, a new Broadcasting Act was passed in Canada. The Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is now in its process to change how—and how much—Canadians will see and hear Canadian shows, songs, and audiovisual content.

The debate around the new Act, called the Online Streaming Act, has focused on regulating online streamers for the first time. The other big change? The Act, and the government’s direction to the CRTC, set new expectations on the CRTC for participation of Indigenous persons and “meaningful engagement” of Black and other racialized groups in the broadcasting system.

What does meaningful engagement and participation in policy and regulatory processes look like? What has the experience been for sovereignty- and equity-seeking groups in the CRTC’s recent C-11 hearing? What needs and opportunities are highlighted by this experience, and how can the sector—the CRTC, government, associations, and other organizations—work together to address these?

Join the Cultural Policy Hub at OCAD U, moderator Elamin Abdelmahmoud (host of CBC’s Commotion) and a panel of industry leaders to reflect on their experiences at the recent C-11 hearing and pathways to ensure meaningful engagement and outcomes.

ABOUT THE CULTURAL POLICY HUB

The Cultural Policy Hub at OCAD U is a partnership that facilitates and expands the arts and culture sector’s capacity in policymaking, research, data analysis, program innovation and knowledge mobilization and exchange.

The Hub is a national, bilingual platform that builds communities of practice among researchers, policymakers, artists, and creators from across Canada’s academic, government, non-profit and private spheres. It will support cultural policy decision-making from the local to the national levels and be a partner in public policy issues to which the cultural sector contributes—and those by which the sector is affected.