The CRTC’s CanCon decisions are no longer impending: on May 21, 2026, the regulator announced new contribution requirements and discoverability expectations for Canadian and Indigenous content. The debate included objections from Spotify, whose representative cited a criticism attributed to Bryan Adams. The hearing record does not establish that Adams personally appeared before the CRTC or opposed every part of the eventual framework.
What Bryan Adams said—and how the comment entered the debate
At a September 29, 2025 CRTC hearing, Spotify’s representative cited a sentence attributed to Bryan Adams: “The rules just make it harder for new artists to break through and share music on a global scale. Canadians deserve better.” The transcript’s indexed passage records the representative citing Adams; it is not evidence that Adams himself addressed the Commission at that hearing.
The distinction matters because the comment predates the CRTC’s May 2026 decisions. It should not be presented as a direct response by Adams to those final decisions, or as proof that he opposed each measure the Commission ultimately adopted.
Why Spotify objected to the proposed approach
In its submissions to the CRTC, Spotify argued that it already supports the discovery and promotion of Canadian artists. It also warned that rigid regulatory mandates could constrain consumer choice and interfere with the platform’s existing investments. Those are Spotify’s arguments in a regulatory proceeding, not findings independently made by the CRTC.
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Spotify’s representative also cited claims about discovery and royalties during the proceeding. Such figures and claims should be understood as the company’s submissions, not independently verified measures of Spotify’s market impact.
What the CRTC decided in May 2026
The CRTC said broadcasters with more than $25 million in annual Canadian broadcasting revenue would have to contribute to the broadcasting system. Broadcasters below that threshold would not be required to spend on Canadian content under the new rules.
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| Broadcaster type | Announced contribution rate | How the CRTC described it |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional broadcasters | 25% of annual revenues | The CRTC said major traditional broadcasters’ prior requirements ranged from 30% to 45%; it did not say every traditional broadcaster had the same earlier rate. |
| Online broadcasters | 15% of annual revenues | The rate includes the existing 5% base contribution. |
The CRTC expects the contributions to stabilize funding at more than $2 billion for Canadian and Indigenous content. That is the Commission’s stated expectation, not an independently assessed outcome.
Discoverability: expectations with room for flexibility
The CRTC also announced expectations for Canadian and Indigenous content to be available and visible on platforms. It said broadcasters would have flexibility in how they meet those expectations. The announcement does not specify every platform-level implementation detail, so it would be premature to infer a single prescribed method for all services.
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In explaining the decisions, CRTC Chairperson and CEO Vicky Eatrides said: “Today’s decisions are about building a stronger broadcasting system. We are taking action to ensure stable funding for Canadian and Indigenous content, and to help make it more discoverable.”
How the process reached a decision
The CRTC said it received more than 600 submissions and heard nearly 150 groups at public hearings. Those figures describe the scale of the consultation, not a measure of how much support any particular policy received.
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- Pages: 128
- Instrumentation: Piano
- Instrumentation: Piano/Keyboard
The resulting framework reflects the regulator’s stated goals of stable funding and better discoverability, alongside flexibility in how broadcasters satisfy the visibility expectations. Spotify’s concerns about mandates and choice remain the company’s position, separate from the Commission’s rationale.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Have the CanCon changes taken effect?
As of October 8, 2026, the CRTC had announced its contribution and discoverability decisions; they were no longer merely proposed or impending. That does not mean every implementation question is settled: later proceedings may address implementation or conditions of service. The May announcement itself should not be treated as a complete account of every operational requirement for every platform.
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