Powerful members of Canada’s entertainment industry are calling for a new federal agency – that would locate and shut down websites – operating as portals for illegally obtained video and audio content.

Bell Canada, Rogers Communications , the CBC and several other organizations have banded together to create FairPlay Canada – and they want the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to use its power as a regulator – to require Canadian internet service providers to shut down access to  pirated material.

FairPlay Canada says Canadian jobs are at risk because consumers can get access to TV shows, movies and music – from websites that don’t pay for the content they’re streaming to consumers.

The group also wants the CRTC to set up an independent agency – to help hunt down the pirate websites.

The CRTC is in the final weeks of public consultations about the distribution of music, TV and other content via the internet – and has set February 13th as a deadline for final comments – as it aims for June 1st to submit its report to the federal cabinet.