Canadian Cultural Policies Chronology 1920's
With the introduction of commercial radio, Canadian policymakers question whether Canadian cultural industries will be overwhelmed by American programming.
| 1920 |
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Canada's first commercial radio station CFCF (formerly XWA) begins broadcasting regularly scheduled programming in Montreal, followed by CKAC, Canada's first French language radio station, in 1922. The growing presence of American-produced programming on Canadian radio stations marks the beginning of an ongoing debate on cultural identity in Canada.
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| 1923 |
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An amendment to the Radiotelegraph Act gives only British subjects the right to apply for broadcasting licenses. The measure is meant to prevent American use of Canadian airwaves.
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| 1924 |
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The Copyright Act (1924) comes into effect. Copyright law supports the production of cultural and creative work by ensuring that original authors' rights to their 'intellectual property' are protected. Until this time, only British-produced materials are covered by Imperial copyright legislation.
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| 1928 |
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The Canadian government signs the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (1886), an international agreement regarding copyright. The Berne Convention represents a union of states committed to protecting "the rights of authors in their literary and artistic works."
The federal government appoints a Royal Commission on Radio Broadcasting to look into the overwhelming presence of U.S. radio programming aired by privately owned radio stations in Canada. Sir John Aird, a Canadian banker, is appointed Chair.
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| 1929 |
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The Royal Commission on Radio Broadcasting, also known as the Aird Commission, releases its report which, among other things, recommends:
- broadcasting be publically owned and operated by one national company
- the creation of the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC)
- the nationalization of existing radio stations to serve the broadcasting requirements of the CRBC
- the production of high quality Canadian programs
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