You cannot sum up the whole of Canadian media production by touting Anne of Green Gables (which is actually a well-loved film and book in many countries, including the US and is something to be proud of) and Hockey Night in Canada. Also, you are confusing the CRTC-regulated CanCon regulations with independant bodies such as the CBC and the National Film Board which have the right to control which projects they fund. The NFB turned down this guy's film for a reason, whatever that may be, but the NFB has higher critical acclaim as a documentary film organisation (68 Oscar nominations, 11 Oscar wins, for example) than any other, so I hope that by now they know how to pick a project. No offence intended for your friend.
The reason Canadian cultural industries like film, TV, and music would likely be swallowed up by US media is quite simple. It's a question of numbers and money. The US media cater to a 300 million strong population and have an almost limitless flow of cash. Canadian media cater to a 30 million strong population and with a very finite number of dollars. Obviously you will not see special effects-packed blockbusters being made outside of Hollywood (and if that's the kind of garbage some people are into, then they are and always have been free to consume it), which is why Canadian films who try to mimick that kind of filmmaking usually don't get far. So Canadian film often has to survive by making lower-budget indie films which despite their lower budgets are quite often critical successes. But financial successes they are usually not, even here in Canada, most particulary because wholly Canadian films are NOT ELIGIBLE for wide release even in major theatres in our own country. Which means even if it is a terrific film, you don't have the right to go downtown and watch it. You are forced to watch something else.
You say you want the right to choose, which you have... with the stipulation that you choose between Hollywood film A and Hollywood film B. I personally support CanCon laws in the other media industries because it gives me the right to choose something produced in my country which has something to do with my life by ensuring that Canadian-produced content is actually there to be chosen by those who want to watch it. I want the right to go to a major cinema in this country, be it in Toronto, Ontario or Neepawa, Manitoba, and to
choose to see a film made in this country that reflects something about my life. I currently do not have that right, and neither do you.
You say America-basher, but that's completely false. This really has little to do with the country of the United States or its people, it has to do with specific industry standards within that coutnry which apply to this country as well. It is an industry fact that due to film distribution networks (based in the US) which the vast majority of all cinemas in major and smaller Canadian cities subscribe to, Canadian moviegoers haven't the option to see a Canadian film that was not created for competition in the US market. Also, Canada is the only non-US country considered to be part of the
domestic market for the Hollywood film industry.
It basically comes down to two questions: Does the Canadian government have the right to control what goes on the airwaves for TV and Radio, and the right to protect and promote its own industries by at least giving Canadians the
option to choose Canadian content by ensuring its existence... The answer is yes.
Lastly, does the government have that same right for the film industry? Well, I believe that it does but it just hasn't exercised that right yet. I believe it should, and that's my opinion.
But reiterating what about Canada I do not like, it's the all-too-frequent "cultural cringe" that I see in too many Canadians ho have a nationally self-demeaning aversion to things produced by their own kind. That's all.
