Canada to tax internet giants to protect cultural sector
Canada is mulling a plan to impose tax on internet giants such as Google, Facebook and Netflix in a bid to protect its cultural sector, which authorities say has been left behind from the benefits of the digital economy.
Simon Ross, a spokesman for Heritage Ministry of Canada, said on Wednesday that efforts were underway to update Canada's 1991 Broadcasting Act so that large internet companies would be required to operate within Canada’s regulatory frameworks.
“The government of Canada recognizes that large internet companies are acting outside regulatory frameworks and may be a threat to our culture,” said Ross, adding that review process will start soon.
Facebook, Netflix, Spotify, YouTube and other online firms have been able to offer services and sell online advertising in Canada without any obligation to operate within the regulated broadcast system. Those companies produce content outside Canada and are not obliged to pay into the arts fund to support Canadian programming, neither are they required to fulfill a quota of Canadian content on air as it is the case for Canadian broadcasters.
Canada’s Heritage Minister Melanie Joly said internet giants would soon be pressed to “respect our cultural policies, and also share the benefits of their business model.”
Joly said digital platforms have been getting “a huge piece” of the advertising pie in Canada without any need to consider the country’s regulatory requirements.
“The benefits of the digital economy have not been shared equally. Too many creators, journalists, artists have been left behind, and there needs to be a better balance,” said Joly after returning from a trip to Silicon Valley in the United States.
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