Quebec’s Minister of Culture, Jean‑Michel Lightbound, defended the provincial government’s decision to stop collecting royalty fees from major American streaming platforms on July 30, 2026. The announcement, made by the Carney administration, marks a reversal of a policy that previously required large U.S. services to pay royalties for the use of Quebec‑produced content.
In an interview following the announcement, Lightbound explained the government’s rationale for the change. While he did not disclose detailed figures, the minister said the move reflects a broader assessment of the province’s cultural and economic interests. He emphasized that the decision was taken after reviewing the impact of the royalties on both creators and the streaming market.
The policy shift means that services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ will no longer be required to remit the fees that had been collected under the earlier framework. The Carney government has indicated that the change aims to align Quebec’s approach with the evolving digital landscape, though specific outcomes have not been projected.
Industry observers note that the elimination of the royalties could affect revenue streams for Quebec‑based producers who previously benefited from the payments. The minister acknowledged that the government will continue to support the cultural sector through other measures, but he did not outline any new initiatives in the interview.
The decision comes amid ongoing discussions across Canada about how best to compensate creators for the digital distribution of their work. Quebec’s move to end the royalty collection from U.S. streamers adds a new dimension to the national conversation, highlighting differing regional strategies in the face of global streaming dominance.
Minister Lightbound concluded by reiterating the Carney government’s commitment to fostering a vibrant cultural environment while adapting regulatory frameworks to current market realities.