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.

Want to track other GR news in industries related to Arts & Culture? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Hospitality & Retail.

Dates: 2025-08-03 to 2025-08-09

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal GR News

Government Upholds CRTC’s Mandatory Wholesale Internet Access Framework

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry, confirmed that the federal government will not vary the CRTC’s August 2024 decision to expand its mandatory wholesale access regime. This move allows Bell, Rogers, TELUS, and smaller telecommunications providers to access high-speed Internet networks outside their traditional territories, with regulated rates. The decision is the result of broad consultation, including expert input from the Competition Bureau and over 300 public submissions. Several providers, including Eastlink, Cogeco, and SaskTel, had petitioned the Governor in Council to change the CRTC’s decision, but the government declined the request.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal Support for Equity-Deserving Theatre Artists Announced in Vancouver

On August 7, Taleeb Noormohamed, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, announced $95,000 in federal funding for the Ruby Slippers Production Society under Canadian Heritage’s Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program. The investment targets the Advance Theatre Pipeline Development Process, a year-long program for racialized and underrepresented artists focusing on writing, directing, production, and curation. Program elements include mentorship, workshops, networking, an Artist-in-Residency, and the Advance Theatre Festival, all culminating in a professional theatrical premiere. The initiative aims to increase representational breadth within the Canadian theatre sector by supporting new scripts and introducing workplace practices developed for, and by, equity-deserving groups.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Parliamentary Secretary Taleeb Noormohamed Announces Federal Support for Inclusive Arts Initiatives

Parliamentary Secretary Taleeb Noormohamed, on behalf of Minister Steven Guilbeault, is set to announce federal funding for projects advancing inclusive and equitable artistic practices nationwide. The announcement is scheduled for August 7 in Vancouver. This move builds on ongoing federal initiatives to sustain diverse artistic communities and signals ongoing investment by Canadian Heritage in both access and capacity for equity-deserving artists and cultural practitioners.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Ministers Convene on Sport, Physical Activity, and Recreation Policy

Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport), and Fred Hutton, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, will jointly summarize outcomes from an intergovernmental meeting of sport ministers. The meeting covered collaborative efforts across sport, physical activity, and recreation policy. The joint press conference and follow-up availability are scheduled for August 9 in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. The agenda includes cross-jurisdictional approaches to cultural participation and recreational infrastructure that may indirectly intersect with arts sector programming.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

National Film Board Documentary to Premiere at TIFF

Min Sook Lee’s feature documentary, 'There Are No Words,' will have its world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (September 4–14, 2025). Produced by the National Film Board of Canada, the film explores personal and transnational themes as Lee, an award-winning director and OCAD University professor, addresses family memory and trauma. The documentary is included in the TIFF Docs program, advancing the visibility of Canadian non-fiction cinema to global audiences, and demonstrates the NFB’s continued role in supporting Canadian filmmakers.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Filming Commences for NFB Feature Documentary in Quebec

The National Film Board announced the start of filming for 'The Time-Frying Machine,' directed by Alex Dorval and Renaud De Repentigny, in Centre-du-Québec. Production is led by Mélanie Brière of the NFB’s French Documentary Unit, with release targeted for 2027. The documentary will explore Quebec identities through the prism of poutine and its cultural history, reinforcing the NFB’s commitment to regional and food-related storytelling.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

CRTC Broadcast Decisions Include New Licences for Radio and Specialty TV

The latest Canada Gazette, Part I, documents CRTC decisions issued July 25–30, 2025, including licence approvals for CHAT-TV (Pattison Media Ltd.) in Medicine Hat, Alberta, OneSoccer (Rogers Communications) for national broadcast, and a new FM radio station (Vista Radio Ltd.) in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. These authorizations enable further diversity in Canadian broadcast offerings, potentially affecting regional content supply and distribution opportunities for independent programmers.

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

CRTC Announces Regulatory Documents and Hearing Procedures

The CRTC has posted detailed decisions, regulatory policies, and information bulletins on its website for recent proceedings, in accordance with the Rules of Practice and Procedure. The abridged versions are available in the Canada Gazette, but full documentation can be accessed through the Commission’s web portal. This continues the CRTC’s approach to procedural transparency in the broadcasting and telecommunications sectors.

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

Charitable Status Revocations Affecting Arts and Cultural Organizations

The August 9, 2025, Canada Gazette lists the revocation of registered status for several charities under the Income Tax Act due to non-filing. Affected organizations include Tianfei Art Troupe Canada (North York), Orchestre Classique de Terrebonne, and George Shippey Music Centre Corporation (Caledonia). Revocation impacts eligibility for charitable receipts and access to government and philanthropic funding streams.

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

Canada Issues Statement on International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples

On August 9, ministers from Global Affairs Canada, Indigenous Services, and Crown-Indigenous Relations issued a joint statement for the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. The statement references efforts to foster economic participation, technological inclusion, and collaborative policy development with Indigenous organizations. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is cited as foundational to economic diversification and resource development, with continuing engagement from federal partners and multilateral institutions.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

US Federal GR News

U.S. Congressional Republicans Urge Canada to Rescind Online Streaming Act

Republicans in the U.S. Congress have called for the Canadian government to rescind the Online Streaming Act (Bill C-11), citing concerns that the legislation may restrict access to streaming platforms by U.S. cultural content providers and create what they call a 'major threat' to trade. The request comes amid ongoing cross-border discussions about cultural regulatory frameworks and their impact on North American digital media markets. Industry observers are monitoring potential implications for streaming rights, licensing negotiations, and trade relations with U.S. partners.

Sources: Canadian News Outlet: nationalpost.com

Canadian Provincial GR News

Quebec Enacts Law on Integration into the Quebec Nation

On May 28, 2025, Quebec enacted the Law on Integration into the Quebec Nation, confirming French as the official language and outlining policies related to cultural integration, secularism, and the development of a national integration policy.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

Ontario Invests $28 Million in Non-Profit Sector Including Arts and Culture Organizations

The Ontario government announced over $28 million in Ontario Trillium Foundation grants to support 300 non-profit organizations and municipalities, with investment streams extending to arts, culture, and heritage programs.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

British Columbia Advances Engagement for Provincial South Asian Heritage Museum

More than 16,000 British Columbians contributed input toward the vision for a provincial museum focused on Canadian South Asian histories and cultures, following the completion of a 12-month engagement project.

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

Saskatchewan Issues RFP for New Francophone Schools

Saskatchewan is proceeding with the design procurement for new Francophone schools in Saskatoon and Prince Albert, with a current RFP for architectural services to support education and cultural infrastructure.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

Minister Tanya Fir Issues Statement on Alberta Heritage Day

Alberta's Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women, Tanya Fir, issued a statement celebrating Heritage Day, recognizing the province’s cultural diversity and the contributions of its communities.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• What is the value in supporting the arts? | CBC Listen: Panel examines reasons for ongoing public funding of the arts sector.
• 'Major threat' to trade: U.S. Congress Republicans call for Canada to rescind Online Streaming Act | National Post: U.S. lawmakers challenge impact of C-11 on streaming markets.
• Opinion: Independent TV producers are being shut out from funding opportunities | Globe and Mail: Analysis on the funding landscape facing Canadian television producers.
• Doctors, lawyers, artists and First Nations leaders named to the Order of B.C. | Toronto Star: Noteworthy recognitions for contributors to British Columbia’s cultural landscape.

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