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Quebecor, whose TVA Group is the largest French-language TV network in North America, was addressing a CRTC hearing that is looking into the future of television and Canadian broadcast regulation.

“If the Commission fails to act swiftly after this proceeding, a service such as Netflix will become … one of the largest broadcasters in this country in the near future,” said Pierre Dion, President and CEO of Quebecor.

“In the past, regulation supported the development of Canada’s broadcasting system. But, in an age of globalization where we must confront international behemoths that are free of all constraints, rules of this type can no longer be imposed on our industry.”

Tom Pentefountas, vice-chairman of broadcasting with the CRTC, asked Quebecor why it doesn’t simply give up its broadcasting licences and exclusively offer on-demand streaming video — as Netflix does — if it finds the regulations so burdensome.

“What exactly is that regulatory straitjacket that keeps you from competing with Netflix?” he said.





Quebecor’s answer was that it still sees “a role” — and a market — for traditional cable television in Canada, at least for now. Quebecor already offers a Netflix-like online service called Club Illico; but Manon Brouillette, president and CEO of Quebecor’s Videotron cable and Internet division, said she didn’t want to hasten the decline of traditional cable by offering that service alone.

“We’re not saying we’re against the Canadian broadcasting system. On the contrary,” Ms. Brouillette said. “We’re saying we want to fight to protect the system.”