- Less than four in ten Canadians are aware of Bill C-11.
- While opinions are mixed when considering support or opposition for the Bill, those aware of it are more likely to express opposition.
July 11, 2022:
On June 21, the Online Streaming Act – also known as Bill C-11 – was passed in the House of Commons. One of the aims of this Bill is to promote Canadian content ahead of non-Canadian content by providing the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) with the authority to regulate content on online streaming companies like YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify. Many Canadian content creators on these platforms have openly objected to the Bill, fearing that their work will be overshadowed if recommended content is controlled by the CRTC. Now that the Online Streaming Act is with the Senate for review before it becomes law, we wanted to assess Canadians’ awareness of and support for the Bill.
Awareness of Bill C-11 is limited, with a minority of Canadians indicating they are aware of Bill C-11 (37%). Meanwhile, two-thirds of respondents indicated they are either not aware (52%) or unsure (11%) of the Bill. Across regions, awareness of Bill C-11 is higher in the Prairies and lower in Quebec (44% and 29%, respectively). Males are more likely to be aware of the Bill than females (47% and 28%, respectively).
Reflective of the limited awareness of Bill C-11, close to half have no opinion when considering support or opposition. Canadians with an opinion on the topic are split as to whether they support or oppose this proposed legislation. One-quarter of respondents support the Bill to some extent (25%), while one-third express some level of opposition (32%). Of those with an opinion, opinions are more likely to be strongly negative than strongly positive.On the other hand, one-quarter of Canadians neither support nor oppose the Bill (26%), while 17 percent are not sure or need more information.
Overall, across the country, residents in BC and Nova Scotia are more likely to oppose this Bill (42% and 40%, respectively) while those in the Quebec are more likely to be in support (34%). Males are also more likely to oppose this Bill compared to females (39% and 26%, respectively).
Those aware of Bill C-11 are more likely to oppose it than support it (44% and 35%, respectively).
These results are from a survey conducted in partnership between Narrative Research and the Logit Group. The survey was conducted online between June 27 and 29, 2022 with 1,230 Canadians 18 years of age or older from the Logit Group’s Canadian Omnibus. Data were weighted based on the 2016 Census, by gender, age, and region to reflect these population characteristics in each province. As a non-probability sample (i.e., a panel sample where residents have joined a panel to share their opinions), and in accordance with CRIC Public Opinion Research Standards, a margin of error is not applied.
The questions included in this press release are the following:
Bill C-11, also known at the Online Streaming Act, recently passed through to the Senate. One of the aims of this Bill is to promote Canadian content ahead of non-Canadian content by regulating online media provided by services like YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify. Before today, were you aware of Bill C-11?
- Yes
- No
- Not sure
Some Canadian content creators on platforms like YouTube and Spotify have objected to the Bill, fearing that their work will be overshadowed if recommended content is determined by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (or CRTC). Overall, to what extent do you support or oppose this Bill?
- Completely support
- Somewhat support
- Neither support nor oppose
- Somewhat oppose
- Completely oppose
- No sure / need more information
For more information, please contact:
Margaret Brigley, CEO, Narrative Research – 902.493-3830, mbrigley@narrativeresearch.ca
OR
Sam Pisani, Managing Partner, Logit Group – 416.629.4116, sam.pisani@logitgroup.com
Narrative Research (www.narrativeresearch.ca), is a leading public opinion and market research company headquartered in Canada. The company was recently certified as a WBE (Women Business Enterprise). As a non-partisan, 100% Canadian-owned research company, Narrative Research is dedicated to providing clients with state-of-the-art research and strategic consulting services.
The Logit Group (https://logitgroup.com/) is a leading North American data collection and market research execution company headquartered in Toronto, conducting large-scale projects for a variety of well-known research agencies and brands. Logit employs industry-best technologies across an array of methodologies, and is independent, experienced and quality-oriented.
Follow us on Twitter at @EveryNarrative and @LogitGroup
