5 last-minute Halloween costumes to satisfy CRTC CanCon requirements

We've all been there: Halloween is around the corner and you still don't have a costume that will fulfill the CRTC-mandated Canadian Content requirements. Fortunately, there are lots of simple, last-minute options that will wow your friends while satisfying your CanCon obligations as defined by the Broadcast Act of 1968.

1) Mr. Dressup

For this distinctly Canadian getup, simply peruse your "tickle trunk" for a bowtie and pair of glasses. You can even make your own Casey and Finnegan puppets if you want to go the extra mile.

That said, do not feel you have to go the extra mile if you don't want to. The basic wardrobe sans puppets more than clears the 55% Canadian threshold as determined by the Commission in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2010-167. Anyone expecting more from you is being greedy.

Just be careful to clearly identify your costume as that of fictional Canadian television character Mr. Dressup and not Mr. Dressup creator Ernie Coombs. He's from the States.      

Dust off that gray suit you have hanging in the closet. If you have an old basketball sitting in the garage, all the better! For the finishing touch, walk around your Halloween party telling people that a Canadian invented basketball. You'll be a Heritage Minute come to life!

3) Lester B. Pearson

If you can't find a basketball, don't sweat it. You can always fall back on being former prime minister and Nobel laureate Lester B. Pearson. He's not on money, so it doesn't have to be too accurate, but he did seem to wear a number of interchangeable grayish suits. And he was definitely Canadian. Can-to-the-Con, baby!  

4) Alanis Morissette

Just take off your clothes and cover your breasts with your hair and you're instantly Ottawa native Alanis Morissette as depicted in her Thank U music video. Not only is the costume simple as can be, the song itself meets the conditions of the MAPL points system as outlined in Section 35 of Broadcast Public Notice CRTC 2006-158.

Arrive at a party in this costume and your friends will "Thank U" for protecting and strengthening the cultural fabric of Canada!          

5) Andy Kim

If you have an old jumpsuit-era Elvis costume lying around, just flatten the wig a bit to become Rock Me Gently singer (and Montreal's own) Andy Kim. While it's unclear whether the Canadian rocker ever wore anything like it, it certainly seems like something he would wear. In any case, the important thing it's enough to keep those no-good CRTC regulators off your back.

Don't miss anything from CBC Comedy - like us on Facebook.