Quebec has just passed a new law that allows the province to set minimum French-language content requirements on major platforms like Netflix and Spotify. This move is part of Bill 109, which focuses on affirming Quebec’s cultural sovereignty and ensuring the discoverability of French-language cultural content.
Minister of Culture Mathieu Lacombe introduced the bill in May, emphasizing the importance of preserving Quebec’s cultural identity in the digital age. He pointed out that many young people struggle to find French-language content on online platforms, with only a small percentage of the most popular songs in Quebec being in French.
The law enshrines the right to discoverability and access to French-language cultural content in the Quebec Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It gives the government the authority to establish regulations within 18 months regarding the amount of French-language content that must be available on digital platforms.
Failure to comply with the new regulations could result in fines of up to $15,000 per day. While the European Union mandates a 30% quota for European content on certain platforms, Quebec has yet to set a specific target.
Companies that struggle to meet the requirements may negotiate alternative measures with the government to fulfill the law’s objectives. Minister Lacombe emphasized that these alternative measures must be equivalent to the original requirements and not a way to evade them.
The law also establishes a Discoverability Office within the Ministry of Culture to oversee compliance and ensure the law’s implementation. A report on the law’s impact will be published every three years to evaluate its effectiveness.
Bill 109 was developed following a report by an advisory committee on “Quebec’s Cultural Sovereignty in the Digital Age,” submitted in January 2024.
