When Quebecers open Netflix and Spotify, they could soon see more French-language content pushed to the front on major platforms such as Netflix and Spotify.
That’s because a Quebec adopted Bill 109 – a new law “affirming Quebec’s cultural sovereignty and enacting the Act respecting the discoverability of French-language cultural content,” earlier this month in the National Assembly.
Ariane Charbonneau, executive director of the association of professional song writers and composers (SPACQ-AE), said that Quebec artists making content in French face a visibility problem even though they adopt big digital platforms like Spotify or YouTube.
“For our artists, it’s extremely difficult to be seen,” Charbonneau said.
According to a study by L’Observatoire de la culture et des communications du Québec (OCCQ), out of the 10,000 most listened songs on streaming platforms in 2023, only five per cent was by French Quebec artists.
“So, clearly, there is a problem because the music is available online, but the people are not seeing it,” Charbonneau said.
Montrealers CityNews spoke to shared that they often listen to English-language content online.
“I listen to some music in French, but not as much as English,” one Montrealer said.
Another whose parents are French-Canadians, said, “They really listen to Canadian music and French music, but not me specifically. I mostly listen to American music, which is mostly English.”
The new law formally adds the right to discoverability and access to French-language cultural content to Quebec’s Charter. It also calls for the creation of a Discoverability Bureau within the Ministry of Culture to make sure the law, and its rules are enforced.
Quebec songwriters and composers association is hopeful that Bill 109 will help French Quebec artists to be discovered on streaming platforms (Johanie Bouffard, CityNews)
“We are hoping that this Bureau de la Découvrabilité will also be able to do collective promotion and do collective campaigns to promote music a little bit,” Charbonneau said.
Bill 109 also allows the government to impose obligations on streaming platforms, as well as TV and connected device manufacturers.
In a press release, SARTEC—the association representing French-language screenwriters—said this is where things get tricky.
They say the government will need to show determination and stand firm, because “streaming services have repeatedly shown, including during recent CRTC hearings, their strong opposition to any oversight or regulation they see as a threat to consumer choice and innovation.”
Meanwhile, artists and the public are hopeful that they will see more French-language content as they log on to their favourite streaming app.
As one Montrealer put it, “I think it’s probably good for our country to speak a little bit more French that people can talk.”
