Canadian Government Pledges CAD$60 Million Investment Toward Supporting Canadian Musicians, Festivals & The Arts

Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images – O Canada
File picture taken on September 1st, 2018, outside Edmonton Police Headquarters, in Edmonton downtown)

The Government of Canada unveiled details of its 2019 Federal Budget March 19, including expanding support of artists and cultural events with a pledge of C$60 Million ($45.1 million in U.S. dollars) over two years. 

The budget notes the challenges facing artists and music industry professionals regarding the growing importance of digital media, the need to market content internationally and the emphasis on touring and live performances. 

The government is proposing providing $20 million to the Canada Music Fund over two years, starting in 2019-2020, to support the production, promotion and distribution of Canadian music by assisting more musicians and music entrepreneurs, as well as helping with the rising costs of marketing and promotion. 

Another $16 million over two years will go to the Canada Arts Presentation Fund to support professional festivals and performing art series across the country, as well as emerging arts presenters in underserved areas. 

Budget 2019 also sets aside $24 million over two years for the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Program and the Celebration and Commemoration Program to support more festivals, large-scale and community-based celebrations and commemoration initiatives. 

Cultural industries in Canada are responsible for employing more than 650,000 citizens and contribute nearly $54 billion annually, according to the budget. The document posted on the government’s website points out that with rising intolerance and hateful rhetoric, “offering stronger support for the arts, culture and diversity is one way that the Government – and Canadians – can work together to build a stronger country.” 

Canadian Independent Music Association, which led a campaign requesting additional funding for the Canada Music Fund, praised the budget’s support for the arts. 

“This funding increase is fantastic news for Canada’s commercial music industry,” Stuart Johnston, President of CIMA, said in a statement. “We are incredibly grateful to the Federal government and specifically our dedicated advocate, Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez, for showing their support of our industry. We are keen to continue to work closely with government to ensure that these dollars are invested in the most impactful way, such as providing additional support for sound recording, international export opportunities, promotion, marketing, touring and showcasing, and the domestic development of our great artists.”

Graham Henderson, President and CEO of Music Canada, released a statement March 19 in response to the budget that addressed the need to support musicians by reviewing the country’s Copyright Act.

“Music Canada welcomes the Government of Canada’s increased funding to the Canada Music Fund and Canada Arts Presentation Fund as part of today’s budget announcement, but there remains much work to be done to address the Value Gap hurting the music sector,” Henderson said. “For labels and artists to be competitive and financially successful, they need a sustainable business framework.”

“Recently the United States and the European Union have taken steps to address the Value Gap. Canada has an opportunity to join the community of nations in protecting and fostering the careers of creators. During the Copyright Act review, the creative community was virtually unanimous in urging the government to repeal decades-old subsidies through which individual creators enrich billion dollar technology and broadcasting platforms. We sincerely look forward to working with the government to seize this opportunity while concluding the review of the Copyright Act.”

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