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Canadian Program Certification

Canadian Program Certification helps independent Canadian program producers to obtain Canadian certification for TV productions that use mainly Canadian crews and talents.

Why is certification needed?

Conventional television, pay TV and specialty TV licensees must broadcast a certain percentage of Canadian Content (CanCon). To monitor compliance, the CRTC requires licensees to maintain program logs for the Canadian programming they broadcast; these Canadian programs or productions are identified using a certification number.

This means that an independently produced program requires a certification number if it’s to be broadcast by a licensee. Without a certification number, the broadcaster can’t claim the program against CanCon requirements and the program is not recognized as being Canadian.

Eligible programming

In general, the CRTC certifies a Canadian program or series that meets the following criteria:

• the producer must be Canadian and is responsible for monitoring and making decisions pertaining to the program
• the production earns a minimum number of points based on the key creative functions that are performed by Canadians
• a minimum percentage of program expenses is paid for services provided by Canadians or Canadian companies

Exempt or ineligible programming

Some programs are generally recognized as being Canadian, and don’t require CRTC certification:

• news and public affairs programs
• productions that have received certification from the Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office (CAVCO) of Canadian Heritage
• music video clips of 5 minutes or less
• federal and provincial government productions
• public service announcements of less than 5 minutes

The following productions are not eligible for certification:

• infomercials and ads
• promotional and corporate videos or films

Where to apply for certification

The type of production determines where producers should apply for certification:

• if the production is independently produced and meets certification requirements as a Canadian program, apply for Canadian Program Certification with the CRTC
• if the production is eligible for a tax credit, file an application with CAVCO of Canadian Heritage
• if the production involves an official co-production with a treaty country, file with Telefilm Canada

Canadian award shows

As noted in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2010-808, the Commission has established a list of qualifying award shows. This is a “living list” in which only the programs included will be considered eligible as award shows that qualify as programs of national interest. These programs consist of award shows of national or regional scope that celebrate Canadian creative talent and/or cultural diversity and achievements in Canadian arts and culture (broadcasting, film, music, video, new media and the arts sector).

• If you wish to apply, please complete Form 206 - Live action. In addition to this, provide a letter including the reasons why the program should be added to the Canadian award show list.
• Click here to access the Canadian award shows list.

Key creative personnel directory

You can find the key creative personnel for each production that has been certified by the CRTC since January 1st, 2004. This information is useful if you want to find out which independent productions have been deemed as being Canadian content.

Use the table below to scan the lists of personnel and related productions each individual has worked on. You can also search by file number, applicant name, certification number, name of the key creative person or program title. Go to Key creative personnel directory.

Note that the point criteria in the production list doesn’t apply to dubbings or live-to-tape sports events programs. As such, no items will be found for these programs.

Certification lists

By title

Complete list 1960-2011 [4.1MB]

Lists by decade 1960-69, 1970-79, 1980-89, 1990-99, 2000-09, 2010-19

Lists by year 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

By number

Complete list 1960-2011 [4.1MB]

Lists by decade 1960-69, 1970-79, 1980-89, 1990-99, 2000-09, 2010-19

Lists by year 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

Related information

• Revision of the definition of a Canadian program to include Canadian programs that have been dubbed in Canada and outside Canada (Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2010-905)
• Revised definitions for specific program categories (Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2010-808)
• A group-based approach to the licensing of private television services (Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2010-167)
• Electronic filing of applications (Broadcasting circular 2008-2-1)
• Electronic filing of applications (Broadcasting circular 2008-2) and
• To licensees of all television broadcasting undertakings (Circular 350)
• Certification for Canadian Programs – A revised approach (Public Notice CRTC 2000-42)
• Implementation of TV Policy (Public Notice CRTC 1999-206)
• Definitions for new types of priority programs (Public Notice CRTC 1999-205)
• Amendment to the Television Broadcasting Regulations (Public Notice CRTC 1994-139)
• Regulations respecting television broadcasting (Public Notice CRTC 1987-8)
• Pay Television Regulations (1990)
• Specialty Services Regulations (1990)
• Television Program Categories
• Television Broadcasting Regulations (1987)