Netflix is telling the country's broadcast overseer that regulating the Internet will only hurt consumers.

An executive from the video streaming service says market forces should be allowed to dictate what Canadians can watch.

The impact of Netflix and other online video providers on the country's traditional TV broadcasting sector is central to a set of public hearings before the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission that wrap up today.

Netflix global public policy director Corie Wright says regulating Internet-based video services would fly in the face of competition, innovation and consumer choice.

Several cultural groups, along with at least two provincial governments, have argued in favour of regulating Netflix and other online video services, which would force them to pay into funds designed to help finance Canadian television production.

But Netflix says it already offers Canadian content as part of its massive video library.