In a move signalling its commitment to cultural preservation, Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller announced on Thursday that Ottawa is poised to back a proposal aimed at extending a key United Nations cultural convention to encompass the digital landscape. This decision comes ahead of Miller’s upcoming trip to Paris next week, where he will participate in an intergovernmental committee meeting at UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
Revamping Cultural Protection
The proposed protocol seeks to modernise the 20-year-old Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which currently affirms the rights of member states to implement policies that protect their cultural sovereignty. Notably, this revision aims to address the burgeoning influence of artificial intelligence on cultural and creative industries, a concern raised by various stakeholders in the sector.
The Bloc Québécois has expressed strong support for the protocol, asserting that it would significantly bolster both Canadian and Quebec cultures against the backdrop of American tech dominance. The party’s representatives have been vocal about the need for federal efforts to counterbalance the influence of foreign digital giants like Netflix and Apple, which are perceived as undermining local content production and promotion.
Canada’s Legislative Challenges
The backdrop to this discussion is the ongoing tension between Canada and the United States regarding recent Canadian legislation designed to protect domestic cultural industries. The U.S. has voiced strong objections to two key pieces of legislation: the Online Streaming Act and the Online News Act. The former mandates that foreign streaming services promote and financially support Canadian content, while the latter requires Google to fund Canadian journalism initiatives. Both laws have been labelled as trade irritants in the current bilateral negotiations.
Adding to the complexity, the Trump administration has announced its intention to withdraw from UNESCO by the end of 2026, citing concerns that the organisation promotes divisive social and cultural agendas. This development raises questions about the future of international cooperation on cultural issues.
The Role of Quebec
During a recent Question Period in the House of Commons, Bloc Québécois heritage critic Martin Champoux highlighted the importance of the upcoming UNESCO meeting, stating that representatives from Quebec will be present to advocate for the protection of cultural diversity against the encroachments of digital media giants. Although Quebec will not have voting rights at the meeting, Champoux noted that the province aims to collaborate with European countries to ensure that the principles of the 2005 UNESCO Convention are effectively applied in the digital realm.
Champoux, along with other Quebec MPs, has expressed concern that American streaming platforms are inadequately promoting local francophone content, thereby jeopardising the province’s unique cultural identity. During a meeting of the Commons heritage committee, he directly queried Minister Miller about Canada’s potential support for the protocol, to which Miller responded with optimism. He indicated that while the protocol has yet to be approved, Canada is committed to collaborative efforts with other member states.
A Step Towards Consensus
In June 2025, Canada joined 160 other nations in endorsing the ongoing implementation of the convention in the digital age and considering an additional protocol. Alisson Lévesque, a spokesperson for Minister Miller, stated that consultations are underway with provinces, territories, civil society, and Indigenous partners regarding the options presented in a recent UNESCO study. The aim is to pursue solutions that garner widespread support before the official decision on legal options is made in 2027, emphasising that the strength of any international agreement relies on consensus.
Legal expert Sara Riboldi, who specialises in international law and cultural property, remarked that updating the UNESCO convention to address the implications of AI is a significant step forward. However, she stressed that member states must take actionable steps to implement any changes effectively.
Why it Matters
The potential extension of UNESCO’s cultural convention represents a pivotal moment for Canada as it seeks to assert its cultural identity in an increasingly digital world dominated by foreign tech companies. By advocating for policies that protect and promote local cultural expressions, Canada not only aims to preserve its unique heritage but also to create a framework that can adapt to the rapid changes brought about by technology. As the country navigates these complex international waters, its decisions will have lasting implications for the future of Canadian culture and the ability to maintain a distinct voice amidst globalisation.
