As we continue to wait for the tabling of Canada’s long-anticipated privacy bill — expected before Parliament rises for the winter break — there’s been no shortage of important policy activity at home and abroad. This week, we’re sharing two significant developments that signal how quickly the regulatory landscape is shifting for the digital advertising sector.
CRTC Redefines Canadian Content — A Landmark Update for Our Market
The CRTC released a major amendment as to what defines Canadian content, marking a major shift for broadcasters, streaming platforms, and digital-first creators.
The ruling expands the creative roles recognized in certification, strengthens requirements for Canadian leadership and ownership, and introduces new expectations for how global platforms partner with Canadian companies. These updates have important effects downstream: from finetuning the definition of what exactly constitutes Canadian media to how buyers might approach content strategies in 2026 and beyond.
Europe Proposes Omnibus Amendments to the GDPR
The European Commission has published an omnibus proposal aimed at clarifying and modernizing key elements of the GDPR. This aims to strengthen cross-border enforcement, tackle regulatory fragmentation, and give more legal clarity around consent, legitimate interest, AI-related data use, the process of analytics, and international data transfers.
These updates could have a meaningful impact on multinational brands, cross-border data flows, TCF alignment, and the future of Canadian privacy policy – especially post C-27. In early December, IAB Europe will co-host a roundtable with EU policymakers in Brussels to provide industry input on the proposal.
Staying Ready for What Comes Next
IAB Canada is closely monitoring Parliament as we anticipate a revised C-27 privacy bill. With so much movement — both domestically and globally — our focus is on making sure members have timely insights, practical guidance, and a clear line of sight on the evolving compliance landscape.
We look forward to keeping you informed as soon as the next chapter unfolds.
If you would like to discuss this further or any other topics, please reach out to us at [email protected].