CHARBONNEAU – Netflix in Canada, reconsidered
Schitts Creek. (Image: Netflix)
I WAS A LITTLE hard on Netflix in an earlier column. The video-streaming giant had told a panel reviewing Canada’s Broadcast Act that market forces should determine their success, not regulations. I equated “market forces” as code words for global domination by America. I railed against Netflix:
“Netflix’s arrogance is offensive, not just because it’s paternalistic, not just because it treats programs as entertainment, but because it pretends that it’s not a Canadian broadcaster (February 4, 2019).”
CBC president Catherine Tait was also hard on them, accusing Netflix of cultural colonialism. She told the panel:
“. . . I was thinking about the British Empire, and how if you were there and you were the Viceroy of India, you would feel that you were doing only good for the people of India.”
On second thought, my thinking reflected an insecurity that often characterizes Canadians.
David Charbonneau is a retired TRU electronics instructor who hosts a blog at http://www.eyeviewkamloops.wordpress.com.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
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