The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has mandated that major online streaming services, including Netflix and Amazon, collect diversity data as a condition for operating in Canada. This requirement is part of a broader policy aimed at enhancing diversity within the Canadian broadcasting landscape. The CRTC's new directive, released in November, specifies that broadcasters must track the representation of key creative personnel, including racialized individuals, people with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, and women.

This initiative follows the passage of Bill C-11, also known as the Online Streaming Act, which emphasizes the importance of diversity in the Broadcasting Act. The updated law requires the Canadian broadcasting system to reflect the needs and interests of all Canadians, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, including racialized communities and Indigenous peoples. The CRTC's decision to require diversity statistics is seen as a continuation of its efforts to formalize diversity requirements in the industry.

The CRTC has noted that some broadcasters already collect data on the presence of women in key production roles and track spending on content produced by Indigenous and official language minority producers. The commission views these existing data collection efforts as successful and believes they can be expanded to include all equity-deserving groups.

The lack of comprehensive diversity data has been a concern for the CRTC, which argues that it hampers the ability to monitor compliance and trends in representation within the production sector. The commission stated that gathering this information is crucial for ensuring that policy goals related to diversity and representation are met.

While the CRTC has not yet imposed specific quotas on streaming services regarding spending on diverse shows and production teams, the regulatory body is moving in that direction. In 2022, the CRTC required the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) to allocate 30 percent of its budget for commissioned TV and documentary programs to diverse production teams. Additionally, the CRTC has implemented a five percent cut from online streamers to support industry groups focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in broadcasting.

Since 2001, some broadcasters have been submitting cultural diversity reports to the CRTC, but these reports have primarily focused on news coverage and specific events. The new requirements represent a significant shift in how diversity is approached within the Canadian broadcasting industry, reflecting a growing commitment to inclusivity and representation across all platforms.