Last spring, Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly launched a broad Canadian Content policy review, saying “everything was on the table” in how the federal government funds Canadian culture and media. On September 28th, after months of consultation and study, Joly unveiled her “Creative Canada’ vision speech. Other than a brief mention of the modernization of the Canada Music Fund, music wasn’t explicitly mentioned in Canada’s Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly’s speech. However, some key points mentioned could affect our industry. CIMA will be following this closely and looks forward to getting more information on the specifics of each of the key points below:
• New investment of $125 million over five years to support Canada’s first Creative Export Strategy.
• A new Creative Export Fund will be launched in 2018 to help Canadian creators achieve their international business objectives. They will roll out the details of the new Fund and of our comprehensive creative export strategy in the year ahead.
• Commitment to cultural exemption in NAFTA
• Modernizing the Canada Music Fund—help artists succeed in the face of increased competition around the world
• Funding for “creative hubs” – collaborative spaces where creative entrepreneurs can access tools, training, equipment and mentorship.
• Creative industries can now access our government’s $1.26-billion Strategic Innovation Fund
• Commitment to focus on creators during the Copyright Act review
• Reform Copyright Board to ensure that we support cultural content, pay our artists faster and reduce costs for all parties.
• Establish a Creative Industry Council, co-chaired with the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. This group of experts drawn from across the creative industries will work on concrete strategies to open up new markets and coordinate Canada’s international presence and brand.
Read the full speech here