I would like to focus on commercial agreements. Independent producers have very limited negotiating power in relation to traditional broadcasters, and even less in relation to platforms. Ms. Winder spoke about this earlier. Producers are often required to give up their rights in negotiations with these parties and major broadcasters; they cannot collect revenues and make decisions on the presentation of their works.
We know that it is independent producers who develop talent and invest in the training of new directors, new screenwriters. They are the ones who work with people to develop all the creative talent in Canada. It is therefore important that they retain greater control and exercise their rights.
In France, for instance, the agreements that they conclude with platforms, whether for television or film, include an exclusivity clause that can be extended to them for a period of time, between 12 and 36 months. So producers can reclaim their rights after that, keep them in their catalogue, and exercise them.
There are different ways of dealing with this. It is difficult for an independent producer to negotiate with a broadcaster, which is why collective negotiation is important. We recommend that this be done through associations that represent producers.