Canadian Heritage

This Canadian Heritage committee meeting focused on a new report titled "Transforming Sport in Canada: Time for Action," which examines the state of sport in Canada and proposes changes to improve safety and governance. The committee first approved a budget of $1,425 for two meetings on this topic. The main speaker was Dr. Andrew Pipe, a special adviser to the commission that produced the report. He highlighted that the report, which involved extensive consultations with over 1,000 individuals and 270 organizations, is the most comprehensive examination of Canadian sport ever undertaken. Dr. Pipe emphasized that maltreatment in sport is widespread and that the current system is fragmented and underfunded. He stressed the need for a new "central sport entity," possibly a Crown corporation, to provide leadership and oversight, and called for the amalgamation of sport organizations and consistent policies across all levels of sport. Committee members raised several questions. Ned Kuruc asked about shortcomings in reporting child abuse and the lack of a national sanctions registry, as well as the potential for a Crown corporation to consume too much funding. Fares Al Soud discussed the importance of sport infrastructure and the need for consistent, pan-Canadian safe sport standards. Sébastien Lemire expressed concerns about the commission's process, arguing that it lacked transparency and that its recommendation for centralization could undermine Quebec's leadership in sport and potentially lead to systemic discrimination against francophones. Andrew Lawton questioned why the report did not address the issue of biological males competing in women's sports, which he sees as a significant barrier to women's safety and fair competition. Dr. Pipe reiterated that the commission's mandate was to look forward, not assign blame, and that the report's 98 calls to action provide a roadmap for change. He emphasized that an underfunded sport system is inherently unsafe and that long-term, predictable funding is crucial. He also highlighted the importance of balancing competitive sport with mass participation and community-level development, citing Norway as an example of a nation that successfully achieves this balance. The committee did not make any final decisions on the report's recommendations but will continue its study.

The committee met to discuss the challenges faced by creative and performance spaces across Canada, focusing on funding, building maintenance, and supporting artists. They heard from various arts organizations about the difficulties they encounter in keeping their venues open, maintaining buildings, and helping artists succeed. Ariane Caron Lachance from Antitube and Cinéma Beaumont talked about the struggle to maintain older arts buildings in Quebec City and the lack of money for equipment. She said small independent cinemas are important for young audiences but don't fit well into existing funding programs. Joshua Beamish from Ballet Vancouver shared how his group's fast growth is being held back by not enough theatre space and rising costs. He stressed the need for better buildings and quick funding to keep Canadian dance talent in the country. Caroline Gignac and Rachel Billet from Conseil québécois du théâtre explained that theatre spaces are vital but face huge increases in operating and upkeep costs. They asked for a smarter way to fund the arts, better support for artists, and more money for the Canada Council for the Arts. Nancy Juneau and Laurence Dubuc from Fédération culturelle canadienne-française highlighted how important cultural buildings are for French-speaking communities outside Quebec. They worried that a new government fund might not set aside enough money for cultural projects. Angel Blanco from École de musique Alain-Caron spoke about connecting different cultures, including Indigenous music, and using technology to make music education open to everyone. David LaRiviere from PAVED Arts explained how his centre helps artists use different media, especially those who are often left out. He said these spaces are key for healthy communities but are run by dedicated people who are often underpaid. No official decisions were made at this meeting. The committee finished hearing from experts for this study. Witnesses were invited to send any extra information to help the committee write its final report. A committee member also tried to bring up a motion condemning foreign interference in the arts, but this was voted down by other committee members.

This committee meeting was mainly about the challenges faced by creative and performance spaces across Canada, with a significant portion of the meeting also spent on procedural issues and a debate about a motion regarding the CBC. The committee heard from several witnesses about the importance of these spaces for artists and communities, and the difficulties they face in maintaining and funding them. Key speakers included Ryan Filsinger from Iron Fox Games, who discussed the video game industry's unique creative spaces and the impact of international competition and AI. He highlighted the need for programs like the video game labour rebate in P.E.I. and increased funding from the Canada Music Fund for digital arts. Christy Morin from Arts on the Ave Edmonton Society shared an inspiring story of revitalizing a neighbourhood through arts festivals and a community coffeehouse, emphasizing the role of partnerships and volunteers. She also raised concerns about the definition of "professional artist" and the need for long-term operational funding for cultural spaces. Morgan Simms from Glasgow Square Theatre spoke about the vital role of rural municipal theatres as cultural anchors and economic drivers, advocating for wider federal support for such venues and highlighting initiatives to ensure community access. Jenny Thibault from the Society for Arts and Technology (SAT) stressed that cultural spaces are essential infrastructures for artists to experiment and create, noting that rising operating costs often force organizations to cut programming. Alexandre Curzi from the Union des artistes (UDA) spoke about the direct impact of crumbling infrastructure on artists' working conditions, leading to fewer roles, lower fees, and a weakened social safety net. He also discussed the need for stable funding for cultural infrastructure and improved social safety nets for artists, including employment insurance and retirement plans. Several committee members asked questions. Rachael Thomas (Conservative) praised Mr. Filsinger's success and inquired about his game's export strategy. Fares Al Soud (Liberal) asked about the importance of regional venues and festivals for artists and local economies. Martin Champoux (Bloc Québécois) questioned Mr. Curzi on artists' tax status, the impact of digital technology, and the lack of predictable funding. Kerry Diotte (Conservative) commended Ms. Morin on her community revitalization efforts. Alana Hirtle (Liberal) asked Mr. Simms about Glasgow Square Theatre's community assistance programs and its economic impact. Tatiana Auguste (Liberal) and Zoe Royer (Liberal) further explored the community impact of arts organizations and festivals. No specific decisions were made regarding the study on creative spaces, but the committee members acknowledged the importance of the issues raised. The meeting was interrupted by a motion from Rachael Thomas (Conservative) to investigate the CBC regarding a controversial production, which led to a procedural vote and the motion being adjourned. The Chair invited witnesses to submit further written testimony to enrich the study.

The Canadian Heritage committee met to continue its study on the state of creative and performance spaces across Canada, hearing from various artists and organizations about their challenges and opportunities. Several speakers highlighted the financial struggles faced by cultural spaces. André Myette from the Marigold Cultural Centre in Nova Scotia spoke about provincial funding cuts and the difficulty of keeping ticket prices low while covering rising costs. Frédéric Messier from RIDEAU, representing many performance venues in Quebec, pointed out that operating costs have gone up much faster than inflation, forcing venues to cut back on programming. Kelly Straughan from Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton shared how expensive building repairs, like a $600,000 roof fix, take money away from artistic programs. Jonathan Bunce from Wavelength Music Arts Projects explained that many small music venues are treated as regular businesses, not cultural hubs, making it hard for them to survive rising rents and expenses. Christina Santiago Keenan from Secret City Studio presented an innovative approach, using Canadian heritage sites for immersive experiences like escape rooms. She suggested updating funding to support these participatory arts, investing in site infrastructure, and creating partnerships. S.E. Grummett from So.Glad Arts, a queer theatre artist, shared their success in touring internationally thanks to funding, showing how Canadian art can be diverse and reach global audiences. They emphasized that early funding helps artists take risks and build careers, even if it doesn't immediately turn a profit. The witnesses offered several ideas for the future. They asked for more federal funding for programs that support arts presentation and cultural infrastructure, including maintenance and accessibility. Some suggested a labor tax credit for live performing arts, similar to those for film and TV. They also called for recognizing small, grassroots venues as essential cultural infrastructure and developing a national plan to ensure these spaces remain affordable and community-focused. The committee approved a budget for its study, and committee members encouraged witnesses to submit more detailed written statements to help with their final report.

The Canadian Heritage committee met to start a new study about the state of creative and performance spaces across Canada. Before diving into the main topic, the committee briefly discussed plans for future reports on social media and media studies. Key speakers shared their views on the importance and challenges facing performance spaces. Erin Benjamin, who used to lead the Canadian Live Music Association, explained how vital live music, especially smaller venues, is for Canada's economy and culture. She pointed out problems like rising costs and big companies taking over, asking for government help to support these spaces. Jennifer Brewin from Globe Theatre in Regina highlighted how theatres bring life to communities, create jobs, and help downtown areas. She also stressed the need for safe places for new artists and the good economic return from investing in culture. She later clarified a misunderstanding about a play for high school students, explaining it was satire and that misinformation led to threats against artists. Other speakers brought up serious concerns. Joel Chipkar and Joel Etienne from the Falun Dafa Association of Canada told the committee that the Chinese Communist Party is trying to stop Shen Yun dance shows in Canada through threats and pressure on venues. They asked the government to step in to protect artistic freedom. Patrick Kearney, representing regional festivals, and Jon Weisz, representing independent music venues in Quebec, warned about the growing power of large American companies like Live Nation and Ticketmaster. They said this control hurts Canada's culture, makes ticket prices too high, and makes it harder for smaller festivals and venues to survive. They suggested a small fee on big concert tickets to help fund independent spaces. Committee members asked questions about how to support new artists, save local performance spaces, and deal with foreign interference and big company control. One committee member proposed a motion to clearly speak out against the Chinese Communist Party's attempts to silence artists and free speech in Canada. However, the committee decided to put off discussing this motion for a later time, without setting a specific date. The meeting ended with the Chair thanking the witnesses and inviting them to submit more information for the study.

The Canadian Heritage Committee met to discuss the proposed spending for 2026-27 for various arts, culture, and heritage organizations. The meeting started with a statement from the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, Marc Miller, who highlighted the government's commitment to supporting Canadian culture, promoting official languages, and combating racism and hate. He mentioned investments in arts and culture, sports, and initiatives to support communities targeted by discrimination. The proposed budget included funds for local journalism, audiovisual sectors, and the Canada Strong pass, which helps families visit museums and historic sites. During the meeting, committee members questioned the minister and later department officials on various topics. Andrew Lawton (Conservative) raised concerns about the Canadian Museum for Human Rights' campaign against parental rights and questioned the success metrics for the Creative Export Canada program. He also criticized the government's handling of the proposed law C-18 and its impact on local media outlets. Fares Al Soud (Liberal) inquired about the minister's priorities and the importance of fostering talent in the country. Martin Champoux (Bloc Québécois) pressed the minister on the journalism labor tax credit and the independent local news fund. Other committee members asked about government advertising spending, funding for CBC/Radio-Canada, and support for indigenous arts and languages. The discussion also touched on the challenges posed by tech giants and the need to ensure they contribute to the Canadian ecosystem. The committee also discussed the impact of AI on the creative industry and the importance of protecting intellectual property and copyright. Later in the meeting, committee members questioned department officials on the impact of Bill C-18 on small media outlets, the process for retrieving funds from organizations that have misused them, and the department's spending on FIFA. They also discussed the importance of supporting indigenous languages and combating misinformation online. The committee approved the proposed spending for the various organizations under consideration.

The Canadian Heritage Committee met to discuss the state of journalism and media in Canada. Witnesses from various media organizations, including CPAC, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB), and the National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA), shared their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. A representative from the Tafsik Organization spoke about the CBC and anti-Semitism. Committee members questioned the witnesses about funding models, the role of government support, and the impact of digital platforms on traditional media. Christa Dickenson from CPAC highlighted the financial strain her organization is under due to changing viewing habits and the erosion of traditional revenue streams. She proposed a services of exceptional importance fund to support public interest services like CPAC. Kevin Desjardins from the CAB emphasized the importance of commercial broadcasters in providing trusted local journalism and called for emergency support for local television stations, an extension of the journalism labor tax credit to broadcasters, and a larger share of the government's advertising budget for Canadian media companies. Barry Rooke from the NCRA advocated for a community radio initiative to provide stable funding for campus and community radio stations. Amir Epstein from the Tafsik Organization criticized the CBC for allegedly amplifying anti-Semitic narratives and failing to provide balanced coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Jeff Thiessen from the Miracle Channel Association focused on the financial pressures facing independent local broadcasters and the need for emergency funding. During the meeting, a motion was introduced to study the distribution, impact, and efficiency of Department of Heritage funding, as well as a motion to study the impact of the Alto High Speed Rail project on natural, cultural, and historical sites. However, debate on both motions was adjourned. The committee agreed to hold a subcommittee meeting to discuss future business.

The Canadian Heritage Committee met to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing journalism and media sectors in Canada. Witnesses from CBC/Radio-Canada, Local Independent Television Stations (LITS), Torstar Corporation, and The Hub shared their perspectives. A key theme was the dominance of foreign tech giants in the digital advertising market and its impact on Canadian media. The witnesses proposed solutions such as government support for local journalism, changes to tax policies, and regulations to address the power of big tech companies. Marie-Philippe Bouchard from CBC/Radio-Canada highlighted the public broadcaster's role in supporting the Canadian media ecosystem through content sharing, journalist training, and advocacy. She emphasized CBC/Radio-Canada's commitment to proximity, digital agility, and bringing people together. Calvin Millar and Rod Schween from LITS spoke about the financial struggles of independent broadcasters due to the shift of advertising revenue to foreign platforms. They asked for emergency funding and changes to tax credits to help local stations survive. Angus Frame from Torstar Corporation discussed the challenges posed by big tech monopolies, particularly Google, and the need for regulations to protect journalism. He suggested the government should prioritize local media in its advertising spending. Rudyard Griffiths from The Hub argued that government subsidies to media outlets can undermine public trust and stifle innovation. He proposed reforms to the subsidy model to reward audience growth and ensure transparency. Committee members questioned the witnesses on various issues, including the CBC's role in local markets, the impact of government funding on media independence, and the use of artificial intelligence in newsrooms. There was discussion about the need to balance government support with editorial independence and to ensure a diverse and vibrant media landscape in Canada. The committee did not make any specific decisions, but the discussion will inform its final report on the state of journalism and media sectors. The committee explored potential next steps, including further investigation into the practices of big tech companies and consideration of policy changes to support local journalism and promote a healthy media ecosystem.