Although streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video weren't straining the government's network, federal officials decided to block them because they were perceived to be a "people management" issue, according to internal documents obtained by CBC News.

Last December, the agency responsible for IT services, Shared Services Canada (SSC), blocked access to paid subscription streaming sites, including Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV+, Prime Video, Disney+ and Crave for 45 government departments and agencies.

At the time, a spokesperson for SSC said "streaming services are not considered work tools and offer no business value for the Government of Canada."

Documents released as part of an access to information request provide more insight on how the decision was made.

Netflix and other

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