CRTC lacks expertise to regulate online streaming, YouTube: experts

Internet experts have cast doubt on whether the CRTC, the body the federal government wants to regulate streaming services and video-sharing platforms such as YouTube and Netflix, has the expertise to do so.

They have also questioned whether the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission should be given new regulatory powers, or even if it fully understands how the internet now operates.

The government last week introduced the Online Streaming Act which would subject streaming services such as Spotify and Crave to the same rules as Canadian broadcasters.

The bill would put the commission in charge of regulating streaming services and video-sharing sites, as well as traditional broadcasters.

Michael Geist, the University of Ottawa's Canada Research Chair in internet and e-commerce law, questioned whether the CRTC has the technical expertise to do this.