Protecting Canada's Cultural Sovereignty | The Walrus

"Canadians may feel an immediate sense of familiarity while watching the second season of Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, and not just because the American versions of the police procedural show have been on our televisions for the better part of 35 years. Law & Order Toronto features Canadian actors, writers, directors, and showrunners, and uses real-life Canadian news stories as inspiration for its plot points. This isn't just television produced in Canada; it's television made by and for Canadians."

"Representation, as they say, matters. Seeing versions of ourselves and where we live onscreen helps Canadians build and retain a national sense of self. Rogers has a proud history of funding, producing, and airing Canadian content, helping to shape and reflect our country's cultural identity for 65 years. With such cultural touchpoints as Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, multilingual newscasts on OMNI Television, live sportscasts of Canada's teams, and daily news from local radio and Citytv stations,"

"But now, between the growing influence of US streaming giants and Canadian regulations that hinder homegrown broadcasters, Canadian representation is at risk of being stifled. That's why Rogers and other companies have been calling for a level playing field to allow Canadian companies more flexibility to compete. Because, at the end of the day, these are the companies that will foster the homegrown Canadian television industry, and by extension, our cultural sovereignty."

Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent features Canadian actors, writers, directors and showrunners and uses real-life Canadian news stories as plot inspiration. Canadian-made programming helps viewers recognize themselves and reinforces a national sense of identity. Rogers has funded, produced and aired Canadian content for 65 years across platforms including OMNI Television, live sports, local radio and Citytv, investing in distributing Canadian stories. The growing power of U.S. streaming giants combined with Canadian regulations that constrain domestic broadcasters is placing Canadian representation at risk. Rogers and other companies are calling for level playing-field changes to give Canadian companies greater flexibility to compete and sustain cultural sovereignty.

Read at The Walrus