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The CRTC’s proposal to shift the funding burden from television and radio providers to broadband providers — it suggests broadcasters pay slightly less and that broadband providers pay one per cent of revenue — remains controversial. It was the subject of much debate at the conference.

On one side, creative players said internet providers and digital players such as Netflix should step in to stop the so-called “Canconpalypse,” a feared loss of Canadian content as funding dries up. TV and radio operators must pay a portion of their revenue for content, but these funds are eroding as advertising and subscription revenues stagnate.

On the other, internet service providers contend they contribute enough by spending “billions and billions” on fixed and wireless networks.

“To be fair, I think the network is our contribution,” Pam Dinsmore, Rogers Communications’ vice-president, regulatory, said during a panel discussion Wednesday.

In an interview, Scott agreed that internet providers have made significant contributions to the network, but said they’ve also grown exponentially thanks to demand for broadband and growth in online video consumption. He expects most will contribute the same amount of revenue since they distribute both TV and internet.

“It’s not a tax,” he said, instead describing it as a shift.

While it could result in extra charges for consumers with standalone internet packages, he said the fee will be minor, given average internet bills of $46 per month.