ACTRA and the Writers Guild of Canada have both spoken out against the CRTC’s recent decision to not regulate new media.

‘By not taking any measures right now to ensure a place for Canadian programming in this increasingly dominant medium, we can easily see a future where there won’t be any,’ said Stephen Waddell, ACTRA’s national executive director, in a statement.

The regulator on Thursday said it would continue to stay out broadcast content distributed via the Internet or mobile devices — a position it has held since 1999 — so as not to stifle innovation. The policy will be reviewed in another five years.

‘We’ve already watched for 10 years as Canadian content has been submerged by foreign content. Five years from now will be too late,’ said Waddell.

The actors union pled its case at the commission’s public hearings earlier this year, seeking both regulation and a levy on Internet and wireless service providers. The proposal was rejected. The WGC likewise argued that more funding is needed to create online Canadian content.

‘New media content has become an integral part of the Canadian broadcasting system,’ said WGC chief Maureen Parker. ‘In our long experience working with Canadian broadcasters, we know that without regulation Canadian content falls by the wayside.’

The WGC did get its wish, however, for further study of the sector, towards creating a viable business model. The CRTC is introducing a reporting requirement for new media broadcast services to ensure that it has the best information available for future reviews.