QUÉBEC — The Quebec government has introduced a new bill aimed at increasing the availability of French-language content on streaming platforms. This legislation seeks to impose quotas for francophone music, films, and other media, ensuring that streaming giants contribute to the province's cultural landscape.

Under the proposed bill, digital platforms will be required to register with the Quebec government and set their default interface to French. This move is part of a broader effort to protect and promote the French language in a region where it is a vital part of the cultural identity. The bill also aims to enshrine the right to access French-language cultural content within the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.

Notably, the legislation will not apply to digital platforms primarily focused on Indigenous content, reflecting a commitment to support diverse cultural expressions.

The introduction of this bill coincides with ongoing public hearings by the federal broadcast regulator, which is working to define Canadian content as part of the implementation of the Online Streaming Act. This act aims to modernize the broadcasting framework in Canada, ensuring that it reflects the country's linguistic and cultural diversity.

Quebec's move has sparked discussions about the balance between promoting local culture and the operational realities of global streaming services. Advocates for the bill argue that it is essential for preserving the French language and culture in the face of increasing English-language dominance in media.

As the bill progresses through the legislative process, it remains to be seen how streaming platforms will respond and what impact these regulations will have on content availability for Quebec's diverse population.