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In 1971, the Canadian Radio and Television Commission (CRTC) established Canadian Content regulations in order to support Canadian artists and Canadian content. According to current regulations, radio stations (in both languages) must ensure that at least 35% of the music broadcast each week is Canadian content, and at least 35% of the music broadcast between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday is Canadian content (50% if the station is owned by CBC or Radio-Canada). What is "Canadian Content" is defined by the MAPL system (Music Artist Performance Lyrics) as described here.
Prior to this regulation, Canadian music was widely ignored by the masses, despite the international superstardom of Paul Anka and folk/rock singer-songwriters such as Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Ian and Sylvia Tyson, and Buffy Sainte-Marie achieving much industry respect if not airplay or sales. According to the CRTC, the purpose of CanCon regulations can be summed up as:
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"Canadian attitudes, opinions, ideas, values and artistic creativity are shaped by our history and geography, our institutions and our linguistic and cultural diversity. They're part of our shared experience and our Canadian identity. The Broadcasting Act recognizes this and declares that the Canadian broadcasting system should encourage the development of Canadian expression" |
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To the layman, the purpose of CanCon is evident in the explosion of Canadian artists and musicians since the 1970's. When the regulations were first introduced, nearly every station was forced to play Gordon Lightfoot for Anne Murray at least once a day. Over the next few decades, however, Canadian artists would enjoy unpredecented international popularity. The 1990s became an explosive decade for Canadian talent, with the likes of Bryan Adams, Celine Dion, Shania Twain and Alanis Morissette topping charts around the world. Now there are more than enough artists to support 100% Canadian Radio stations (Check out one here). It's been harder for Canadian hip-hop and R&B artists to make an impact, with two notable exceptions: Drake and The Weeknd.
For Canadian performers (as opposed to performers from other countries who happened to have recorded in Canada), see Category:Canadian Musicians.
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