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: 2025-08-17 to 2025-08-23

📋 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 of Canada Invests $275,000 in the MUTEK Festival

On August 19, Minister Mélanie Joly, together with Minister Steven Guilbeault, announced a $275,000 investment in Montreal's MUTEK Festival, with $210,000 through Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), and $65,000 via Canadian Heritage's Canada Arts Presentation Fund. This contribution includes a non-repayable sum for the commercialization of MUTEK in 2025 and 2026, aiming to boost international tourism and enhance the festival's profile abroad. The funding supports the presentation of a diverse digital arts program by local, national, and international artists. Organizers expect this support to expand access to digital arts for audiences and facilitate broader outreach to global markets. The announcement highlights ongoing federal support for digital cultural events and aligns with efforts to support export potential in Canada's arts sector. Federal officials presented the plan at the festival's opening in Montreal.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions Grants $442,098 to M.A.D. Festival

Marie-Gabrielle Ménard, MP for Hochelaga–Rosemont–Est, acting for Minister Mélanie Joly, announced a non-repayable contribution of $442,098 to Montreal's M.A.D. Festival on August 21, marking the event's 25th anniversary. The funds will facilitate festival promotion and international marketing for 2025 and 2026, supporting the organization's outreach for talent in fashion, design, and performing arts. The initiative targets expanded product development and increased festival attendance, positioning Montreal as an international cultural destination. CED financing falls under the Quebec Economic Development Program and is intended to drive economic gains for businesses and creators affiliated with the festival.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

{RE}DEFINED: NFB and TIFF Joint Initiative for Emerging Filmmakers

To celebrate the Toronto International Film Festival's (TIFF) 50th edition, the National Film Board of Canada and TIFF launched the {RE}DEFINED initiative on August 20, seeking applications from Canadian and Indigenous creators aged 30 and under to produce five short documentary films. The program provides selected filmmakers with production resources, financial backing, mentorship, and a public screening at TIFF 2026, followed by distribution on NFB platforms. Applicants may submit English or French projects addressing Canadian and Indigenous identity, utilizing innovative non-fiction storytelling formats. The submission deadline is September 30, 2025. With this collaboration, two of Canada’s largest film institutions aim to promote original documentary work from emerging voices.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Fourth Annual Progress Report: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

On August 21, Minister Sean Fraser tabled the fourth annual progress report on the federal implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UN Declaration Act). The document reviews action plan milestones, such as the addition of a non-derogation clause to the Interpretation Act, creation of an Indigenous-led advisory committee, development of an Indigenous Justice Strategy, improvement of border crossing provisions, and increased access to federal services in Indigenous languages. The report details input from 58 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis organizations, as well as over 41 federal entities, citing progress in heritage stewardship, cultural infrastructure on reserves, and drinking water initiatives. It identifies improved interdepartmental coordination and increased funding as areas for ongoing work.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal Investments in Alberta Support Arts, Entrepreneurship, and Indigenous Economic Development

On August 20, Minister Eleanor Olszewski announced over $5.9 million in federal investment targeting seven projects across Alberta. Noteworthy among them is $750,000 allocated to the Arts Council Wood Buffalo, which will convert a former property in Fort McMurray into an arts incubator, supporting artisans and community learning. The funding includes resources for Indigenous-led business initiatives and arts education, workforce development programs, new resource centers, and community-based agribusiness practices. This funding round intends to foster entrepreneurship, enhance workforce skills, and broaden support for arts and culture in rural and Indigenous communities throughout Alberta.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Atlantic Game Studios Attend Gamescom 2025 with Federal Support

On August 19, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Atlantic Provinces outlined a partnership supporting 15 Atlantic game developers’ participation in Gamescom 2025, held in Cologne, Germany. The mission, supported by the Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Agreement, aims to enhance export readiness and international business connections for Canadian studios. Participants will take part in pitch competitions, product showcases, and meetings with prospective buyers and partners. The coordinated initiative aligns with federal efforts to increase trade opportunities and foster the global expansion of Canadian creative industries.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Statistics Canada Releases 2024 Motion Picture Theatre Data

Statistics Canada reported on August 19 that operating revenue in the Canadian motion picture theatre industry reached $1.6 billion in 2024, reflecting a 12% increase from 2022. This growth follows the lift of pandemic restrictions, allowing a return to standard operations. However, revenues in 2024 remain 13.1% below the industry high of $1.9 billion recorded in 2018. The data suggests that, despite recovery, the sector's financial output has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canada Gazette, Part I: CRTC Decisions and Broadcast Applications

In the August 23, 2025 issue of the Canada Gazette, Part I, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) published recent applications and administrative decisions. These include Shaw Rocket Fund's application pertaining to Rogers Communications for broadcast undertakings across Canada, with a September 10 deadline for public interventions. Recent decisions cover renewals and administrative matters for various broadcasters, such as Pattison Media Ltd. (Brandon, Manitoba), Cogeco Media Inc. (Hawkesbury, Ontario), 7954689 Canada Inc. (Montreal, Quebec), and Stingray Radio Inc. (Lloydminster, Alberta). The Gazette also confirms certified independent production funds for online audio-visual undertakings.

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

Federal Funding Supports Health Services for Francophone Minority Communities in Ontario

On August 18, Health Minister Marjorie Michel, represented by MP Mona Fortier, announced over $33 million in support for four francophone post-secondary institutions in Ontario and a $1 million investment to the Ontario government. These allocations are delivered through the Official Languages Health Program and will be applied to projects aimed at improving access to health services in French, augmenting recruitment in post-secondary health education, and enhancing collection of linguistic data. This measure supports federal priorities surrounding minority language rights and the provision of official-language services.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

US Federal GR News

U.S. Concerns Surface Over Canadian Online Streaming and News Bills

Coverage from CTV News on August 22 details rising concerns stemming from U.S. government pressure regarding the status of Canada's Online Streaming Act and Online News Act. The article reports that U.S. stakeholders have voiced apprehension about the trajectory and future enforcement of these bills, with implications for the regulatory environment for both Canadian and U.S. digital media platforms. Questions have been raised about compliance, trade impacts, and the interaction of Canadian legislation with cross-border online content. The story notes that Canadian officials continue to navigate both domestic policy priorities and international trade considerations.

Sources: Canadian News Outlet: www.ctvnews.ca

Canadian Provincial GR News

Alberta Invests Over $11 Million to Support Community Initiatives and Cultural Programs

On August 22, Alberta announced $11.2 million in community grants supporting 305 projects—including those preserving heritage, supporting the arts, and providing cultural programming—under the Community Initiatives and Facility Enhancement Programs.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Quebec Tracks Progress on Social Participation for People with Disabilities, Including Culture Sector

The Office for Persons with Disabilities of Quebec released an August 22 update on "Fully Included" policy implementation, noting that new accessibility criteria have been added for financial aid in the sectors of leisure, tourism, and culture.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Art exhibit seeks to break down language barriers with auction to support interpreting services: An Ontario art auction supports interpreting services for language access.
• ‘This place shaped me’: How a lefty Jewish camp with famous alumni has encouraged the arts in the GTA for 100 years: Feature on a century-old camp's impact on the Greater Toronto Area arts community.
• Quebec college facing $30M fine over English student enrolment postpones 1st day: A Quebec college delays semester start due to regulatory questions on English-language enrollment.
• K-Pop goes the world: What Canada can learn from South Korea’s red-hot cultural moment: Commentary on cultural export models from South Korea in relation to Canadian policy.
• New crop of post-secondary classes aim to teach students the art of influencing: Canadian universities explore curricula focused on digital communications and influencer culture.
• Royal BC Museum navigates major reset after building cancellation: The Royal BC Museum responds to shifting priorities after the cancellation of a major infrastructure project.
• Electricity company’s donation to Woodland Cultural Centre helps ‘address urgent infrastructure needs’: Corporate giving supports the infrastructure and programming of a key First Nations cultural institution.

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