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Latest news, international – Canada’s Senate passed the online streaming law on Thursday after 10 months of wrangling over a law that would force companies like Netflix and Alphabet Inc’s YouTube to offer more Canadian content.

Bill C-11, or the Online Streaming Act, swept the unelected upper house of Canada’s Parliament by 52 to 16 with one abstention.

With the approval of the Senate, the bill only needs the royal approval of the Governor General to become law.

The law aims to put companies like Spotify, Disney+ and other online streaming platforms under the watchful eye of broadcast regulator CRTC and prevent them from complying with Canadian content requirements that apply to channels. television and radio.

According ReutersThe bill was proposed by the Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last year and passed in the lower house of Parliament in June, with the support of the opposition New Democrats and the Bloc Québécois.

The government says the legislation will ensure streaming services promote Canadian music and stories and support Canadian jobs.

Opponents, including Canada’s main opposition Conservative Party, criticized the bill as an overreach that would impact freedom of speech and voting on the internet.

YouTube said it was not opposed to the bill in its entirety, but had expressed concerns about the impact it would have on user-generated content.

The video platform said it would be required by law to recommend Canadian content on its homepage, rather than videos tailored to users’ specific interests.

Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez, who introduced the bill in February 2022, said the changes were intended for commercial programs streamed online and would not apply to individual content creators.

When it becomes law, the CRTC will also develop and implement regulations for traditional and online broadcasting services.