7.3.3 Cultural Content Legislation

7.3.3 Cultural Content Legislation in Canada

To what extent should globalization shape identity?

One important way governments protect and preserve culture is through legislation. A nation writes laws that encourage the promotion of its own culture.

Canada has a unique culture, sometimes called a cultural mosaic. That means our culture is composed of the values, traditions, and ways of life of people of many backgrounds. We believe that celebrating our differences makes Canada stronger as a nation.

Canada shares a common language and the world's longest border with the powerful United States. Canadians receive more of their news and entertainment from another country than any other sovereign nation in the world does. Many people see the influence of the rich and powerful American media as a threat to Canada's distinct identity. Whether you love or hate American Idol, South Park, or The Young and the Restless, without doubt, American television is very popular with people in Canada and around the world.

Reflect

If we never see our own way of life reflected in the media, do we start to lose a sense of who we are? How does this constant bombardment of American culture and values influence us as Canadians? Is our culture different from that of our neighbours to the south or are we becoming a more homogeneous culture?

Living next to you is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly or temperate the beast, one is affected by every twitch and grunt.

Pierre Trudeau

Canadians and the mass media: Interestingly, Canadians invented many of the forms of mass communication used today. Alexander Graham Bell, who invented the telephone, also invented the wireless gramophone, the 1800s equivalent to the ipod. Reginald Fessenden achieved the first two—way transatlantic radio communication, the first radio broadcast of music and entertainment, and one of the first television systems. The first transatlantic telegraph signal was received in Newfoundland. Walkie—Talkies were invented by a Canadian. A team of three Canadians developed the IMAX movie system. Canadian Marshall McLuhan coined the phrase "the global village". Our history and geography have had important roles in the development of communication devices.

Cultural protectionism: Although Canadians developed the means of mass communication, most of what we see and hear through the media originates in the United States. To preserve our unique Canadian identity in the face of American popular culture, various governments have enacted cultural content legislation. Most of these laws were designed to protect Canadians from the spread through the media of other cultures — especially American culture.

The following laws are also intended to protect Canadian cultural industries.

• The Aird Commission on Radio Broadcasting in 1929 led to the development of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Canada's first national radio station. It began broadcasting television in 1952.
  
  
• The National Film Act established the National Film Board of Canada whose purpose was to promote Canadian films and finance projects that help promote Canadian culture.
  
  
• The Royal Commission on National Development in the Arts, Letters, and Sciences, or the Massey Commission as it is more commonly known, recommended the creation of a government-sponsored organization to distribute grants to Canadian artists. This Canada Council helps distribute government grant money for projects that promote Canadian culture.
  
  
• The Fowler Commission in 1955 found that most Canadian stations were broadcasting largely American programs. It recommended a quota system in which all content aired had to be mostly Canadian.
  

Reflect

What does Canadian television tell us about Canadian culture? Talk to your parents or other adults about one or more of the TV shows listed.