Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news for professionals in the performing arts, museums, theatre-operators, event-spaces, Canadian and Francophone trad media and social media publishers, and broadcasters. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Start Date: 2025-05-11
End Date: 2025-05-19

Top Headlines

Main Stories

NFB Advocates for Cultural Criteria in Canadian Content During CRTC Hearings

On May 16, Government Film Commissioner and NFB Chairperson Suzanne Guèvremont appeared before the CRTC in Ottawa, pressing for the inclusion of clear cultural elements in the definition of Canadian programming. Speaking as part of the CRTC’s public hearings on updating Canadian content criteria, Guèvremont argued that public funding for audiovisual production should remain conditional on cultural tests, a model employed in jurisdictions such as the UK, France, and Australia. The NFB further called for longform documentary film to be officially recognized as nationally significant programming, comparable to news, citing its role in shaping national identity and understanding. The hearings will continue through May 27. Live and archival coverage of the hearings is available via CRTC and CPAC platforms.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

NFB Selects 26 New Projects for Filmmaker Assistance and ACIC Programs

On May 15, the National Film Board of Canada announced the selection of 26 projects—15 anglophone and 11 francophone—through its Filmmaker Assistance Program (FAP) and Aide au cinéma indépendant du Canada (ACIC). These initiatives provide discounted post-production services to independent filmmakers at NFB’s Montreal headquarters or locally, supporting applicants more than 150 km from Montreal with refunds for services. This year’s projects span cities nationwide. Artists’ names and film titles will be released upon project completion, with similar annual selection cycles planned. Details on both programs and funding criteria are available via the NFB’s website.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

CRTC Posts New Broadcasting and Radio Applications; Sets July Hearing Date

According to the May 17 edition of Canada Gazette, Part I, the CRTC has published recent Part 1 applications concerning radio renewals and amendments, including those for CKZW in Montreal and CFNJ-FM in Joliette, Quebec, with deadlines for public comment set for June 9. Additionally, Notice 2025-92, issued May 7, schedules a hearing for July 10 in the National Capital Region. Full details and application documents are available on the Commission’s website under 'Public proceedings & hearings.'

Sources: Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca

Provincial Announcements

Manitoba Funds 34 Museums Across Province With $315,000 in Grants

Manitoba’s government is delivering $315,000 to support 34 museums through the Community Museum Project Support Program, with individual grants potentially reaching $25,000; applications remain open until June 16.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.mb.ca

Manitoba Invests Up to $5 Million in St-Pierre-Jolys Centre to Promote French Culture

Up to $5 million is being invested in the Le Rendez-Vous Community, Culture and Recreational Campus in St-Pierre-Jolys, designed to maintain francophone culture and house a regional library.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.mb.ca

Nova Scotia Holds First Mi’kmaw Language Day After Recognizing it as Province’s Original Language

May 12 marked the first Mi’kmaw Language Day in Nova Scotia, with ongoing provincial funding of $1.3 million per year to support the Mi’kmaw Language ReVITALization Strategy.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Festival Antigonish and Other Groups Receive Support for Healthcare Recruitment Through Arts Initiatives

Twenty-four organizations in Nova Scotia, including Festival Antigonish Summer Theatre, are receiving grants totaling $1.4 million aimed at supporting healthcare recruitment and retention via community and cultural programs.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Nova Scotia Celebrates Gaelic Heritage with Gaelic Nova Scotia Month

May is Gaelic Nova Scotia Month, featuring province-wide events highlighting the role of the Gaelic language and culture, which has 2,000 speakers and an estimated 270,000 descendants of Gaelic settlers.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec to Honour Ten New Members in June Ceremony

The Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec named ten new recipients who will be inducted into the Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec at a ceremony on June 9 in Montreal.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

Steven Guilbeault posted on May 15 welcoming the CBC/Radio-Canada board’s decision, stating the government will protect Canada’s national identity by strengthening the public broadcaster.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

On May 13, Steven Guilbeault acknowledged Prime Minister Mark Carney's confidence and stated he looks forward to working with culture and official languages at the heart of Canada’s identity.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Hedy Fry noted on May 17 that the arts community has a longstanding tradition of speaking truth to power.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Judy A. Sgro tweeted on May 15 to celebrate Ukrainian culture and heritage on the occasion of Vyshyvanka Day.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Patricia Lattanzio expressed appreciation at a gala for Antonio Sciascia’s 50 years of work preserving Italian-Canadian heritage.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator René Cormier noted the tabling of a promising Status of the Artist bill in New Brunswick’s assembly and mentioned the election of artist David Myles as a federal MP.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Tony Loffreda appeared on Radio CFMB 1280 AM discussing community heritage, public policy, and economic topics with Italian-Canadian constituents.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Marilou McPhedran shared her experience with Manitoba delegates at Ottawa’s 'It’s all about Freedom' concert hosted by the Netherlands’ Embassy, commemorating Canadian soldiers’ role in Dutch liberation.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Ottawa Mosque, ByTowne Cinema could get heritage designation: Ottawa landmarks, including the ByTowne Cinema, are being considered for heritage status.
• Arts and language focus of 2-day festival on Piapot First Nation: A Saskatchewan festival blends Indigenous language and arts education.
• Opinion: The CRTC has failed to protect the Canadian broadcasting industry: An opinion piece examines the CRTC’s regulatory approach to broadcasting.