Comedian Colin Mochrie attends a protest against the heavy volume of American programs on Canadian television networks. (Michael Peake/Sun Media)

The organization that represents Canadian actors yesterday held a noisy protest outside Toronto's Massey Hall, where CanWest was holding its fall launch for the Global and E! networks.

"There is not enough Canadian programming on television," summed up actor/comedian Colin Mochrie, who was carrying a sign and marching in the ACTRA protest. "I know it looks like we're targeting Global, but it really is a CRTC issue.

"It seems to be getting worse. There are what, two hours a week of Canadian programming (in prime time)? It's ridiculous."

Both CTV and Global regularly buy U.S. programming.

"To me it's just a criminal waste of the talent in this country," said Mochrie, who stressed that he has no problem with American shows being available in Canada, as long as they air on American networks.