What are CanCon rules in the Canadian film and television industry?

Canadian Content (CanCon) rules are regulatory requirements established by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) that specify the minimum amount of Canadian content that must be included in television and film productions to qualify as Canadian.

To meet CanCon rules, 75% of a production’s services costs must be paid to Canadians and at least 75% of the production’s post-production and laboratory costs, including stock footage, must be paid to Canadians or Canadian companies. Productions also need to score at least 6 out of 10 points based on key creative positions held by Canadians, including: director, screenwriter, lead performers, and other essential roles, while also having a Canadian producer and production company. 

 

The History and Purpose of Canadian Content Regulations

The CanCon rules were first introduced in 1971 as part of a broader cultural policy aimed at protecting and promoting Canadian identity in the face of overwhelming American media influence. At the time, Canadian broadcasters were mainly airing American content, which threatened to diminish Canadian cultural expression and storytelling. The regulations were designed to ensure that Canadians would have opportunities to tell their own stories and that Canadian talent would have sustainable career opportunities in their home country.

The rules have evolved significantly since their inception, adapting to changing media landscapes and industry needs. Today, they serve multiple purposes: protecting Canadian cultural sovereignty, supporting the domestic entertainment industry, creating jobs for Canadian creative professionals, and ensuring Canadian audiences have access to content that reflects their experiences and values.

 

Understanding the CRTC point system

The CRTC uses a point system to determine CanCon certification. (Link here to the current CRTC guide). To qualify as Canadian content, a production must:

  • Earn at least 6 out of 10 points
  • Have a Canadian producer who is responsible for monitoring and making decisions pertaining to the program
  • Have a Canadian production company with headquarters in Canada
  • Spend at least 75% of its production costs on services provided by Canadians or Canadian companies


Here's how the 10-point system breaks down:

  • Director: 2 points (if Canadian)
  • Screenwriter: 2 points (if Canadian)
  • Lead Performer / First Voice: 2 points (if Canadian)
  • Second Lead Performer / Second Voice: 1 point (if Canadian)
  • Production Designer: 1 point (if Canadian)
  • Director of Photography: 1 point (if Canadian)
  • Music Composer: 1 point (if Canadian)


Special Categories and Exceptions

While the basic points system applies to most productions, there are special considerations for different types of content:

Animation productions have slightly different criteria, with points allocated to key animation roles rather than traditional film positions. Documentary films may have modified requirements due to their unique nature, particularly regarding the role of performers.

Co-productions with other countries fall under separate regulations. Canada has audiovisual co-production treaties with over 50 countries, allowing productions to qualify as Canadian content even if they don't meet all standard CanCon requirements, provided they follow specific treaty guidelines.

 

Financial Incentives and Support Programs

Meeting CanCon requirements also opens doors to various funding opportunities and tax incentives. The Canadian Media Fund (CMF) provides significant financial support to qualifying productions, while federal and provincial tax credits can cover substantial portions of production costs.

Key financial benefits include:

These incentives can combine to cover anywhere from 30% to 70% of eligible production costs, making CanCon certification highly valuable for producers.

 



Image of film crew working.

Where do I find CanCon crew for my Canadian TV or film production?

Finding Canadian talent and resources for CanCon-compliant productions involves tapping into several established networks and organizations:

The Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) maintains a comprehensive database of Canadian directors, assistant directors, and production designers. ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) provides access to professional Canadian performers, while the Writers Guild of Canada can connect producers with Canadian screenwriters.

Provincial film commissions offer production guides listing local crew, facilities, and support services. Organizations like Creative BC, Ontario Creates, and SODEC (Quebec) maintain extensive databases of industry professionals.

Industry associations like the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) can also help with networking opportunities and access to professional directories.

 


Where do I find CanCon stock footage for my Canadian TV or film production?

As part of the CRTC’s requirement that a production spends at least 75% of its costs on services provided by Canadians or Canadian companies, including "post-production and laboratory costs", sourcing Canadian stock footage, from Canadian companies helps with this need.

When sourcing stock footage for a CanCon-compliant production, it's essential to verify both the footage's Canadian origin and the citizenship of key creative personnel who made it. Here are some of primary sources for obtaining Canadian content:

National Film Board of Canada (NFB) Stock Footage Library
https://archives.nfb.ca/home/

The NFB maintains a large archive of Canadian footage spanning decades. Their collection includes historical footage, landscapes, city scenes, and cultural events. All NFB footage is inherently Canadian and typically meets CanCon requirements. Producers can search and license footage through the NFB's website.

CBC Archives 
https://www.cbc.ca/archives

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation offers access to its huge archive of news footage, documentaries, and cultural programming. This material is especially valuable for productions requiring historical Canadian content or news footage. Producers should contact CBC's licensing department directly to access their stock footage library.


Provincial Archives: Each province maintains its own audiovisual archives with region-specific footage. Examples include:

These institutions often hold unique historical footage of their respective regions and can provide authenticated Canadian content.


There are also Canadian stock footage companies that are Canadian owned and are good sources of Canadian content. Some of these include:

 

Tips for Ensuring CanCon Compliance with Stock Footage:

  1. Document the Origin: Request certification of where the footage was shot and by whom. Canadian locations alone don't automatically qualify as CanCon - the creative team behind the footage must also meet certain criteria.
  2. Verify Creative Control: Confirm that the cinematographer or videographer is Canadian. This can contribute to your overall CanCon points if properly documented.
  3. Rights Management: Ensure all licenses explicitly permit use in Canadian productions and confirm whether the footage has been previously used in other CanCon productions.

 

Impact on Streaming Services and Digital Platforms

The digital revolution has prompted updates to CanCon regulations. In 2022, the federal government introduced Bill C-11 (the Online Streaming Act) to bring streaming platforms under CRTC jurisdiction, requiring them to contribute to and promote Canadian content.

This modernization of CanCon rules affects how streaming services operate in Canada:

  • Platforms must invest in Canadian production
  • Algorithms must promote Canadian content to Canadian viewers
  • Streaming services must contribute to Canadian content funding
  • New reporting requirements for digital platforms
  • Modified discovery requirements for Canadian content


While traditional broadcasters must maintain specific percentages of Canadian content in their programming schedules (typically 50-60% during prime time), streaming services face different requirements focused on investment and promotion rather than strict content quotas.

 


Challenges and Future Considerations

The future of CanCon rules will likely continue to adapt as media patterns and technologies change, while maintaining the core goal of supporting Canadian cultural expression. As the industry evolves, there must be a balance between protecting Canadian cultural interests while also embracing global opportunities in the digital age.

The CanCon system, despite its complexities and ongoing debates, remains a cornerstone of Canadian cultural policy. It has successfully fostered a robust domestic production industry while helping maintain a distinct Canadian voice on the global stage. 

 

 

Rob Howard is the author of this article and the founder of canadastockfootage.com. Rob has had work featured on CBC’s coverage of the 2024 Olympics in Paris, and in ads for VISA, Amazon, Bell Canada and McDonalds. His goal is to help filmmakers, advertisers and companies connect with audiences through storytelling with video.

PS. Are you an editor or film-maker looking for free footage

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