Not sure why you would call it the strangest law... I am sure there are far stranger laws out there...
As for CanCon laws I think they are essential. Many contries have regulations around the amount of indiginous programming that is broadcast on their media.
Given the predomeinance of American cultural product around the world (not to mention the fact that Canada is shares a very pourus border with the US) I see no problem with nations finding ways to support their local production and broadcast industries.
The problem most American policy wanks have with this is that they see the cultural industries in purely economic terms. They see it as another industry just like lumber, fisheries, manufacturing... I disagree with this take on this (as do many others).
Cultural industries are far more important to the fundamentals of what makes a Nation. Our cultures define us. Now I can see how this can seem ludicrous when you are talking about some mainstream feature film or the latest version of Joe Millionaire... But when you talk about Literature, Magazines, Music, Dance, Film, Television, etc... These are the venues in which we tell stories to about ourselves to ourselves...
Why, just because the US media giants are able to, should we not fight for diversity in our media? Yes it is (mostly) cheaper to buy US exports than to produce indigenous programming (the exports are esensially paid for by the US domesitc market so any international licenses represent profit). But I see that as no reason to roll over and except the status quo.
Regualtion and support of indiginous culture is essential.
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"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke
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