Canada Introduces Long-Awaited CRTC Database for Legally Recognized Canadian Songs

Concerns Over Canadian Content Regulations in Radio Broadcasting

Canadian radio programmers are increasingly wary of compliance with Canadian content (Cancon) regulations. Violating these rules can lead to significant repercussions, including strikes against broadcasting licenses that can linger for years. No programmer, music director, or station owner desires the chaos that follows a failure to meet weekly Cancon requirements.

The Importance of MAPL Criteria

To ensure adherence to these regulations, it is crucial for radio professionals to ascertain whether a song qualifies as Canadian content, which has traditionally been assessed through the MAPL system. This framework outlines four specific criteria:

• M: The music is composed by a Canadian or landed immigrant.
• A: The artist is a Canadian citizen by birth or naturalization.
• P: The song must be recorded entirely in Canada or performed live and broadcast within the country.
• L: The lyrics must be penned by a Canadian or a landed immigrant.

To officially qualify as Cancon, at least two of these four criteria must be met in any combination.

Challenges with Digital Tracks and Songwriting Credits

Historically, the only way to confirm a song’s Cancon status was through a label on physical records, displaying the MAPL symbol—a pie chart indicating which criteria have been satisfied. However, this labeling system presents challenges for digital tracks, often leaving programmers to rely on record labels for confirmation. Unfortunately, inaccuracies—particularly concerning the “P” designation—are not uncommon.

Notable Case Studies: Bryan Adams and Lenny Kravitz

These complexities were evident in the case of Bryan Adams’ hit “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You.” Despite being Canadian and co-writing the track, its status was initially classified under 1.5 Cancon credits due to contributions from the foreign co-writer Robert “Mutt” Lange. Following public backlash, the song has since been reassessed and now qualifies as Canadian content.

Conversely, Lenny Kravitz attained Cancon status while covering The Guess Who’s “American Woman,” as the original music and lyrics were the work of Canadians Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman.

CRTC Launches Canadian Music Selections Database

The complexities surrounding Cancon identification have prompted the launch of the Canadian Music Selections Database by the CRTC. This accessible and downloadable database aims to help broadcasters, artists, and the public identify Canadian music more easily, featuring over 1,969 pages of content at its inception, with promises of continuous updates to include diverse music categories.

Future Implications for Radio Stations

This new database will likely lead to significant changes in Cancon classifications as radio programmers assess their current playlists against the updated standards. Many previously categorized songs may undergo reclassification, while others could be newly recognized as Cancon. It remains to be seen how these adjustments will be perceived by listeners.

In summary, the Canadian Music Selections Database not only clarifies the landscape for programmers but also presents an engaging resource for music aficionados interested in exploring Canadian content.