CRTC Rules That AI-Generated Works Do Not Count as Canadian Content — What This Means for Creators

Canada has updated its definition of Canadian Content (CanCon): AI-generated music and media do not qualify as Canadian content under the new rules.

For independent artists using tools like Suno, BandLab, or hybrid workflows, this matters. It is a clear signal about how regulators define cultural authorship in the age of AI.

This article focuses on what changed, why it matters, and how AI-music creators can adapt.

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What the CRTC Actually Changed

Under the updated CanCon framework, a work must have key creative roles filled by humans to qualify. AI-generated content, even if created in Canada, does not count toward Canadian content status.

Qualifying works must have human authorship in core creative roles, such as:

• Writers (for scripts, lyrics, or screenplays)
• Composers
• Other key creative decision-makers

AI may still be used as a tool in the process, but not as a qualifying author.

The content can still be released, distributed, streamed, and monetized. The change affects whether it is counted toward Canadian content quotas, not whether it can exist on platforms.

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Why This Decision Matters

Broadcasters and services with CanCon quotas must carry a certain percentage of Canadian-authored works. By excluding AI-generated works from the definition, the CRTC keeps human creators at the center of Canadian cultural policy.

This supports:

• Human creative labor in Canada
• Cultural ownership tied to real people, not systems
• A clear link between Canadian identity and creative authorship

For artists using AI, the key issue is not the tools themselves, but how authorship is credited and documented.

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Impact on AI-Heavy Musicians

The ruling does not prevent anyone from creating or releasing AI-generated music. The limitation appears when a project needs Canadian content status for specific purposes.

Areas where CanCon classification can matter include:

• Radio or streaming quota placement
• Cultural or funding eligibility tied to Canadian content
• Broadcast licensing and Canadian content obligations

Works created primarily or entirely by AI may not qualify. Hybrid works that involve human writers, vocalists, or producers retain paths to qualification, depending on how roles are assigned and credited.

The dividing line is authorship, not the presence of technology.

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Strategic Guidance for AI-Music Creators

If you want your work to be recognized as Canadian content, the following points now carry more weight:

1. Keep Human Creators in the Chain

Even if AI assists with melody or arrangement, ensure a human is responsible for key creative decisions, especially lyrics, composition, and vocal performance.

2. Treat Metadata as Evidence

Authorship needs to be documented. Credits should clearly state who wrote, composed, produced, and performed the work. This supports both cultural classification and professional recognition.

3. Collaborate Intentionally

Working with human lyricists, vocalists, musicians, and engineers, especially Canadians, strengthens the human authorship profile of a project. It also improves the emotional and performance depth of the music.

4. Know When CanCon Status Matters

Not every project needs Canadian content classification. Global, streaming-only releases may rely more on algorithms than on quotas. For projects that do seek Canadian-focused support or exposure, the new rules are more relevant.

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Long-Term View

The updated CanCon definition shows how cultural regulation is adapting to AI:

• Human authorship is being protected in policy, not just in opinion.
• Identity and credit now influence how works are counted in national culture.
• Hybrid workflows are likely to grow, balancing AI tools with human direction.

For AI-based creators, the practical message is simple: keep your role visible. Use AI, but make sure your contribution is clear, documented, and central.

The new rules do not erase AI from the creative landscape. They draw a line around what counts as Canadian content and, in doing so, highlight the continued importance of human creators.