Canada’s Senate on Thursday handed the federal government’s on-line streaming laws after a 10-month debate over a legislation that may drive companies like Netflix and Alphabet Inc-owned YouTube to supply extra Canadian content material.

Bill C-11, or the Online Streaming Act, cleared the unelected higher chamber of the Canadian parliament with 52 votes to 16 and one abstention. With the Senate’s approval, the invoice simply wants royal assent from the governor common to grow to be legislation. The laws goals to carry the likes of Spotify, Disney+ and different on-line streaming platforms below the stewardship of broadcasting regulator CRTC, and maintain them to the Canadian content material necessities that apply to TV and Radio channels.

It was proposed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal authorities final 12 months, and handed within the decrease home of the parliament in June, with assist from the opposition New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois. The authorities says the laws will make sure that on-line streaming companies promote Canadian music and tales, and assist Canadian jobs.

Opponents, together with Canada’s predominant opposition Conservative occasion, have criticized the invoice as an overreaching measure that will affect freedom of expression and selection on the web. YouTube has stated it doesn’t oppose the invoice in its entirety, however has raised issues over its affect to user-generated content material. The video platform says the legislation would drive it to advocate Canadian content material on its homepage, somewhat than movies tailor-made to a person’s particular pursuits.

Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez, who launched the invoice in February 2022, says the adjustments are meant for industrial applications streamed on-line and wouldn’t apply to particular person content material creators. Once it turns into a legislation, the CRTC will develop and implement rules for each conventional and on-line broadcasting companies.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)