Official Hansard
Madam Speaker, I rise today to provide an update on the major commitments our government has recently made to support our creators, our media and our cultural businesses and to secure their future in a rapidly changing environment. Our government was elected a little over a year ago with a clear commitment to stand up for who we are and what sets us apart. Our culture is at the very heart of who we are. It allows us to tell our own stories in our own way and in our own languages. Here in Canada, we are proud to have artists, creators and innovators pushing the boundaries of art. Our artists embody our culture and showcase it here and around the world. We have a duty to protect this culture. Behind the issues of funding and regulation that we are debating, there are people working, companies taking risks, and communities that want to continue to see themselves reflected on screen and hear their stories told in the media. There is a screenwriter developing a show, a producer securing funding for a shoot, a songwriter writing her next track. There are also technicians waiting for their next contract and a radio station trying to hang onto its local news team. These people contribute to our economy. They also help us get to know each other better, discover other realities, and share the experiences that bring us closer together. A song can transcend generations. A TV show can help us learn what life is like in another community. A news report can spark a much-needed discussion. These shared moments strengthen our sense of belonging and contribute to social cohesion. However, the cultural sector is facing significant challenges that are undermining its business models and its ability to create, produce and reach audiences. As an artist, I am familiar with these difficulties. We recognize the financial pressures facing the industry. Simply acknowledging the importance of our culture is not enough. We must take action. That is what we are doing. With more than $770 million announced in budget 2025, we are investing in our media, our artists, our audiovisual sector, our festivals and our celebrations. The Bloc Québécois voted against that budget. It voted against $150 million for CBC/Radio-Canada, funding meant to strengthen its mandate to serve the public and to better reflect the needs of Canadians in both French and English. It voted against $150 million for Telefilm Canada. It voted against $125.5 million for the Canada Media Fund. It voted against $48 million for the Canada Music Fund. It voted against $95 million for the creative export strategy, which helps thousands of Canadian businesses and cultural organizations reach new international markets and has helped generate over $466 million in export revenue and secure hundreds of trade agreements. Our government knows how important it is to ensure that Canada has a strong, resilient creative economy. We understand the importance of showcasing our stories and talent beyond our borders. We understand the importance of fostering Canadian creativity. We understand the importance of investing in our greatest asset, which is who we are and the people who bring our culture to life. Our audio and audiovisual sectors bring Canada prestige and help strengthen our economy. In 2024, the audiovisual and interactive media sector contributed over $20 billion to Canada’s GDP, or nearly 30% of culture GDP. This sector alone accounts for over 172,000 jobs. Sound recording and music publishing generated over $542 million in GDP and accounted for approximately 5,500 jobs, which is a lot. When a production starts, it creates jobs for film crews, performers, editors and visual effects specialists. It also makes work for workshops, transportation services, hotels and restaurants. In music, recording involves writers, composers, performers, directors and technicians. Publishers, record companies and partners then work to publicize the music so that it finds an audience. There have been tangible success stories from across the country. In 2026, The Girl Who Cried Pearls, a short created by Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski and produced by the National Film Board, won the Oscar for best animated short film. This success followed on the heels of Matthew Rankin’s triumph in Cannes in 2024, when his film Universal Language won the Directors’ Fortnight audience award. Francophone talent also shines in the music field. In 2024, Charlotte Cardin won the Félix Artist of the Year award in the international category. That same year, Yannick Nézet‑Séguin and his collaborators won the Grammy for best opera recording for Champion. We want to see more success stories like these because Canada has the world-class talent and innovators that the world is looking for. When our creators succeed, all of Canada succeeds. Beyond the numbers and markets, it is these success stories, our creativity and our identity that we are known for abroad. Our media also contribute every day through the connections they maintain with the people they serve. A radio station can be a familiar presence in a region. It introduces listeners to artists, follows local issues and gives community members a voice. Local media help us understand decisions that affect our region or municipality. Journalism therefore plays an essential role in our democracy. It allows us to debate issues based on verified facts, better understand the challenges facing our society and make informed choices. At a time when false information spreads quickly, we need journalists who check the facts, cross-check sources and put events into context. This reporting creates a shared space for discussion. It helps people with different opinions better understand the issues they are being asked to consider. Supporting independent, rigorous journalism means preserving our ability to make informed choices and participate fully in democratic life. Journalism also makes an important contribution to our economy and the vitality of our communities. In 2024, newspapers alone generated more than $1.1 billion in GDP and supported nearly 13,000 jobs. Journalism also continues to inform Canadians through radio, television and digital media. However, the importance of these activities does not shield them from difficulties. Market shifts are changing audience habits and the distribution of revenue. Over the past few years, traditional broadcasting revenue has declined overall, while revenue from online services has increased. For production companies, funding decisions are becoming more difficult. For workers, this may mean more time between contracts and more income uncertainty. For a local media outlet, this can jeopardize its ability to keep a team on the ground. These pressures also have long-term consequences. These skills are developed through participation in projects. Teams become stronger through experience. When this continuity is compromised, it becomes harder and harder to retain talent and prepare the next generation. A lot of time goes into a TV show, documentary or album before it reaches the public. Decisions made today determine, in part, what we are able to watch and listen to down the road. Timely and substantial funding is therefore essential. This is why our government announced an investment of $600 million to provide stability and support to the audio and audiovisual sectors. This significant investment will provide the stability and long-term support our cultural sector needs to thrive, while ensuring that Canadian culture remains accessible to Canadians. This funding is part of a broader reflection of the contribution of all stakeholders to the Canadian broadcasting system. Online streaming services have become an important part of our daily lives. We recognize the importance of their equitable contributions, like those of other stakeholders, to the creation and promotion of Canadian content. That is why the Online Streaming Act was passed in 2023. We needed to modernize our system and incorporate online businesses. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, the CRTC, then set out to clarify the major online services’ obligations through mechanisms adapted to audio and audiovisual content. Unfortunately, the Online Streaming Act did not produce the desired results. The contributions that were supposed to support our cultural sector have never been paid, as they have been stuck in litigation for years. The CRTC’s initial contribution model did not provide the necessary support for our cultural industries, either in Quebec or elsewhere in the country. We had to be pragmatic and come up with a new approach. Our government therefore announced its intention to review certain requirements and develop new guidelines. We want the act to be implemented in a way that keeps services affordable, preserves consumer choice and provides businesses with flexibility while maintaining strong support for Canadian content. Beyond these investments, we are also exploring how to modernize the institutions and funding mechanisms that support our audiovisual sector. Our government announced this intention in January at Prime Time and again in April at the Association québécoise de la production médiatique conference, along with the launch of an advisory panel on audiovisual modernization. This is a unique opportunity to modernize our audiovisual sector, strengthen our industry and consolidate Canada’s position as a world leader in audiovisual excellence. We are working in partnership with the industry, drawing on the expertise of an advisory committee made up of industry leaders to develop ambitious, innovative solutions that respond to the sector’s needs and help it thrive in a rapidly changing environment. The discussions also highlighted the importance of innovation and skills. Workers and businesses need opportunities to experiment, pursue training and build their expertise as AI and other technologies evolve. These opportunities must reach communities across the country and groups that face greater barriers. I will conclude by speaking about our two official languages, particularly French, which is at the core of our identity and a source of pride. French-language productions operate in a unique market, whether the production in question is a TV show or a song. Our francophone creators must be able to produce their works and reach their audiences, both in Quebec and elsewhere in the country. Indigenous creators must be able to share their stories and keep their languages alive. Official language minority communities need to be able to see themselves reflected in the content that they watch and listen to. It is this conviction that led Canada to become one of the founding members of UNESCO’s 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. When our media and cultural works reflect this diversity, they help us better understand the country that we share. They allow everyone to feel that their experiences have a place in our collective life. Our government is committed to supporting a strong, dynamic and viable cultural sector where creators and businesses can thrive in the digital age. We must take into account the financial pressures facing the sector and the financial realities of households while also preserving the ability to tell our stories and to understand our own reality. Canada is home to internationally recognized talent and considerable expertise. We want to provide them with the conditions that they need to continue creating and connecting with audiences. By supporting these sectors, we are investing in our economy, our democracy and the ties that bind us together.
