#202 It's The End Of CanCon As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

October 9, 2017

CANADALAND

#202 It’s The End Of CanCon As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly had the thankless task of crafting a new culture plan that was sure to disappoint. She is now being viciously attacked by the press.

Jesse Brown

Host & Publisher

Russell Gragg

Producer

The way we make culture in Canada is finished. The CanCon system was built on radio frequencies and cable subscriptions. That’s done.

Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly had the thankless task of crafting a new culture plan that was sure to disappoint. She is now being viciously attacked by the press, the same press that did not get their requested newspaper bailout.

In the plan, Joly announced a boost (as yet unspecified) to the Canadian Media Fund, funding for a cultural export strategy and a digital news incubator envisioned as a joint venture between Ryerson University and Facebook.

But all anybody seemingly wants to talk about is the deal in which Netflix has pledged $500-million over five years toward original Canadian content – and why that’s somehow a terrible thing.

Joining Jesse is University of Ottawa professor and digital technology expert Michael Geist to unpack the deal.

Also on this episode Ira Wells, contributor to The Walrus, discusses how Canada’s revamped cultural policy aims low and ignores art.

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