Canadian indie producers on Tuesday urged Ottawa to ensure a more level playing field as they make TV and online content for domestic broadcasters.

“The imbalance that now exists in the system between broadcasters and independent producers undermines content innovation and programming diversity – something government must recognize and address without delay,” Norm Bolen (pictured), president of the Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA), told the House of Commons Standing Committee of Canadian Heritage during an appearance on Parliament Hill.

Bolen said the English Canadian TV market is dominated by three private broadcast groups against whom indie producers are hard-pressed to secure favorable business terms.

“We are not opposed to consolidation, but those broadcasters are using their dominant position to secure unreasonable terms that undermine independent producers’ businesses and put at risk the thousands of high-skilled jobs,” Bolen said.

“It is only by promoting a diversity of voices that we will achieve any real growth,” he added.

Bolen called on Canadian heritage minister James Moore to compel the CRTC to ensure broadcasters reach an “equitable arrangement” with indie producers as they continue negotiating a terms of trade agreement on the ownership and exploitation of program rights.

The CRTC has called on Canadian broadcasters and indie producers to hammer out a draft terms of trade agreement as part of upcoming license renewal applications, but has stopped short of knocking heads to force agreement on a final pact.