The ‘dire’ needs of Canadian drama were top of mind on Friday, as ACTRA, the WGC and DGC appeared before the CRTC in Gatineau, where representatives, not surprisingly, repeatedly called for more support and an increase in spending on homegrown programming.

‘The system is out of whack,’ said WGC president Rebecca Schechter, telling commissioners that spending in Canada on foreign shows has increased by 68% over the last eight years, while spending on Canadian drama has dropped by 47%.

The ratio of spending on U.S.-to-Canadian shows is 13-to-1, she added. The union and guilds have been unanimous and persistent on these points since the advent of the CRTC’s TV Policy in 1999, and during the afternoon presentation repeated the oft-heard arguments that the regulator should require more spending on at-home drama.

ACTRA member Rob Wells, one of the stars of Trailer Park Boys, stressed the importance of the CRTC in controlling the broadcasting system, to ensure viewers have access to Canadian content.

‘Broadcasters will not spend on drama unless they are regulated to do so,’ he said.

CRTC vice-chair Michel Arpin observed that these groups are relentless in their support of drama. ‘You’re always pushing, but what kind of evidence do you have that Canadians want to see more Canadian drama than what they’re currently seeing?’ he asked.

‘We think we’re fighting for a critical piece of Canada,’ responded WGC exec director Maureen Parker, adding that drama is the most-watched form of programming, whether foreign or domestic.

DGC head Alan Goluboff argued that it’s about shelf space. ‘We want Canadians to flip on the TV and be able to find a piece of Canadiana — programming that reflects who they are,’ he said, pointing to the staying power of drama as opposed to reality fare.

The union and guilds were also united in their support of genre protection, which, if removed, could undermine Canadian production by allowing U.S. channels such as HBO and ESPN into the country.

‘While it is time to make constructive changes, it is not time to eliminate key measures that have served the system well,’ commented Goluboff.

Schechter noted that genre protection is so essential that even cable and satellite companies Rogers and Bell are supporting it. ‘We don’t need HBO… HBO programming already airs on many channels,’ she said.

On the key issues of fee-for-carriage and use of local avails, the union and guild reps said, if allowed, any new revenue should include a significant contribution to drama.

‘New sources of revenue must be tied to Canadian programming,’ said Goluboff.

The hearings continue Tuesday with appearances by the Ontario Media Development Corporation and others, and by Shaw Communications on Wednesday.