Inside the lobbying fight over online streamers’ CanCon contributions

What happened behind closed doors that led the government to reverse the payment increase for foreign streamers in Canada?

Carly Penrose

18 Aug 2026 • 4 min read

Cast members from 'Schitt's Creek' hold their multiple awards at the Canadian Screen Awards in Toronto in 2016.

A policy that would have made foreign streaming services pay more toward Canadian media content, like Schitt's Creek, was reversed after dozens of lobbying communications on both sides of the issue. (The Canadian Press/Chris Young)

Carly Penrose

Carly is a Toronto-based journalist. She holds a master of journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University. Her work has appeared in the National Post, This Magazine and The Canadian Press.

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