Canadian content is more important now than ever before! In a time where American patriotism and thearts to Canadian culture are at an all-time high, it is vital for Canadians to tap into our roots and show the world the beauty of Canadian culture!
What’s more Canadian than homegrown content? Content created by Canadians for Canadians, reflecting Canadian voices, values and beliefs. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has created a system to help Canadians bring their stories to Canadian screens!
Through having guidelines, rules and regulations, the Canadian government is able to assist Canadians in telling authentic and reflective stories that resonate with Canadians. Providing a platform for all Canadians to see themselves and their experiences on screen.
But CanCon is so much more than a system; it’s the heartbeat of our nation. It keeps content truly Canadian and supports building and showcasing Canadian culture and talent.
What is CanCon?
Canadian Content (CanCon) is a term created by the CRTC that is defined as content created by Canadians for the Canadian market. The CRTC has created rules, regulations and guidelines to define what Canadian content is and what can be classified as Canadian content.
Being classified as CanCon provides access to provincial and federal funding and other grants. The CTRC puts an emphasis on supporting local productions that are using Canadian cast and crews. Their main goal is to support creatives and productions in Canada.
The Point System:
They have created a point system for qualification for funding. The minimum requirement for productions to qualify for federal and provincial funding is 6/10 points.
- Director (2 Points)
- Screenwriter (2 Points)
- 1st Lead Performer (1 Point)
- 2nd Lead Performer (1 Point)
- Lead Voice Performer (1 Point)
- Production Designer (1 Point)
- Director of Photography (1 Point)
- Music Composer (1 Point)
- Picture Editor (1 Point)
Priority is given to productions that score higher in the point system, with many different grants, such as the Canadian Certificate and Shaw Rocket Fund, available for productions that score 10/10. Many grants also prioritize the use of Canadian crew members, with most productions seeking over 50% of crew members to be from the location where the production is filmed!
Why Does CanCon Matter?
Authentic Stories:
CanCon promotes creating Canadian stories made by Canadians for Canadians! With stories written by Canadians, productions reflect the various voices, cultures and beliefs that make up the Canadian population.
In an industry that focuses on dollars over story and impact, the CanCon system switches the flip! With stories at the forefront. With a dedication to creating stories that reflect, inspire and connect to Canadians.
CanCon and the CRTC allow Canadian creatives to create stories that will resonate with Canadians. Whether it’s retelling and dramatizing past or current events impacting Canadians, or introducing new stories based on the various cultures making up Canada.
Representation:
Creating authentically Canadian content fosters an environment to showcase the many different cultures, backgrounds and individuals that make Canada great! Promoting Canadian stories has allowed Canadian broadcast networks to create productions that accurately represent Canada’s population.
By writing stories from different Canadian perspectives, networks are able to showcase a variety of stories that will ensure all Canadians are able to see themselves or some aspect of themselves on their televisions! Going beyond just relating to audiences to create deep connections through realistic stories and characters.
A great example of the representation is Kim’s Convenience. Written and produced by Korean-Canadian Ins Choi. The series is inspired by his upbringing with his parents owning a convenience store in Scarborough, Ontario. The series features an all-Asian-Canadian cast and reflects the stories of many Asian-Canadians across the country.
Highlighting Talent:
Supporting a system that promotes the use of Canadian talent, it allows Canadians to flourish and shine!
With broadcasters required to feature 60% of their content within the CTRC regulations, it provides an opportunity for Canadian creatives to showcase their talents and skills!
Whether it’s creating the next killer script or delivering that one performance to turn the world’s eye on Canada. Canadians have been honing their skills and perfecting their craft with each and every production made.
Well, it can be hard to “make it” in Hollywood with the constantly fluctuating ins and outs. The CTRC’s system allows Canadians to enhance their craft and find job security. With most Canadian shows lasting an average of 3-5 seasons, with some ranging over 10 seasons, Canadians actors can showcase their talent and build longstanding and lovable characters.
Canadian Jobs:
The CTRC, grants and tax credits encourage productions created in Canada to use as many Canadians as possible. This promotes the use of Canadian cast and crew!
According to ACTRA in 2022, the Toronto film and television industry set a record by employing over 35,000 Canadians and spending $2.6 billion! Noting that the jobs were split between foreign productions and Canadian productions.
The provincial tax credits serve as an essential aspect for production companies in choosing to hire Canadian talent. To qualify for provincial tax credits, productions must use 75% of the production expenses, and post-production expenses must be paid to Canadians.
Access:
The CTRC works closely with federally funded broadcasters such as CBC to create content. Content created for federally funded broadcasters is accessible to all Canadian taxpayers, as their taxes are funding the productions.
CBC has created CBC Gem, a free streaming app where Canadians can access CBC productions and content for free! Allowing Canadians to access films and television for free without having to pay for cable or streaming subscriptions.
CanCon Highlights:
Degrassi:
The Degrassi is Canada’s longest running franchise. Originally launching in 1986 with the Kids of Degrassi, the series concluded its run in 2016 with the conclusion of Degrassi: Next Class.
Degrassi featured four spins offs: Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi High, Degrassi the Next Generation and Degrassi the Next Generation!
The teen soap was a huge hit for its bold approach at tackling topics for teens. Creators did not shy away from controversial topics and covered everything from teen pregnancy and abortions, mental health and suicide, abuse to drug addiction.
Providing teens a authentic and raw look into real life topics.
Orphan Black:
Orphan Black was a hugely successful si-fi thriller, spanning five seasons. Running from 2013 to 2017, Orphan Black put Canada and Canadian creatives on the map!
Earning lead actress Tatiana Maslany a prime time Emmy and Television Critics Association awards. While she was also nominated for a People’s Choice Award, Golden Globe and Critics Choice award for her portrayal of Sarah Manning.
Schitt’s Creek:
What started off as a quirky little show for the CBC has become a globally beloved show.
Earning Catherine O’Hara a Critics Choice Award in 2021, a Golden Globe in 2021, a Prime Time Emmy in 2020 and the Television Critics Associations award for Individual Achievement in Comedy!
Creator, writer and star Eugene Levy earned a Golden Globe for Best Comedy, Prime Time Emmy’s for Lead Actor and Comedy series!
Annie Murphy was credited with a Prime Time Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
Heated Rivalry:
Based on the hit novel by Rachel Reid, Heated Rivalry has opened up the conversation around sexuality within spots and the negative impacts of hyper-masculinity within professional sports.
Heat Rivalry dears to go where no show has gone before, and promote open conversation around men’s sports and societal standards for men. Opening the door for professional athletes to open up about their own experience in professional sports and has even encouraged many to come out and celebrate their sexuality!
The Next Step:
A hit children’s show about a dance studios and its students who strive to be the best dancers! The series ran from 2013-2025 following The Next Step Dance Studio as they trained their dancers to become the best!
Following the A-Trope members as they navigate teenage-hood, relationships and dance. They must learn to work together and overcome their struggles to compete in different dance competitions from regionals to internationals and prove to the world they are the best.
Anne With an E:
A re-imagining of the Canadian classic novel Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. The series ran for 3 seasons from 2017 to 21019 and was a production between the CBC and Netflix. Airing for broadcast on CBC and streaming on Netflix.
The series took audiences into the Canadian classic novel exploring Anne’s journey to fit in, in Green Gables.
Why CanCon Matters:
Thanks for reading my piece on a topic near and dear to my heart! Can you tell I spent four years studying the system?
Are you guys a fan of Canadian content? Comment down below if you think its worth it to fund production with the CanCon rules and regulations or if you think there’s a better why to approach productions in Canada! I look forward to your thoughts!
References:
ACTRA Toronto. (2025, October 27). Film and television facts. https://actratoronto.com/film-and-television-facts/
Popcorn Perspectives 
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