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: 2025-10-12 to 2025-10-18

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Parliamentary Committee Calendar
• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Parliamentary Committee Calendar

• Canadian Heritage Committee: Briefing on CBC/Radio-Canada’s Priorities: CBC/Radio-Canada's President and CEO Marie-Philippe Bouchard will appear before the Committee on October 20, 3:30–5:30 p.m., Wellington Building, Room 425, webcast available.
• Canadian Heritage Committee: Effects of AI on Creative Industries Study: Access Copyright, Association of Canadian Publishers, Canadian Authors Association, and others will testify on October 22 from 4:30–6:30 p.m. regarding AI impacts in creative sectors. Meta Platforms Inc. policy representatives will also participate. Room 420, Wellington Building; webcast available.
• Official Languages Committee: Request to Study French in Government Communications: Meeting on October 20 (6:30–7:30 p.m.) will focus on initiating a study regarding the use of French in government communications.
• Senate Committee on Official Languages: Draft Report and Study of Minority-Language Health Services: The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages will meet in-camera on October 20, 5:00 p.m., to discuss minority-language health services and future agenda.

Canadian Federal GR News

Canada Extends $12 Million Support for Journalism Sector

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault announced a $12-million investment to continue the Canada Periodical Fund’s Special Measures for Journalism for 2025–26. The initiative targets non-daily community newspapers and magazine publishers, particularly those employing a free distribution model or with limited paid circulation, supporting adaptation to market challenges and ongoing content production on all platforms. Since 2020, the Special Measures for Journalism component has provided over $100 million to more than 600 Canadian publishers annually. Eligible organizations may apply for funding through November 17, 2025, with eligible activities including content creation, distribution, and business development. This measure forms part of the government’s strategy to help local news outlets maintain their operations amid industry changes.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Bilateral Agreement on Minority-Language and Second-Language Education in Manitoba

Ginette Lavack, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services, announced the signing of the Canada–Manitoba Agreement on Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction, covering 2024–25 to 2027–28. The agreement brings more than $72 million in federal investment to Manitoba for French-language and French-as-a-second-language education at all levels, from preschool to post-secondary. Manitoba will also add provincial funding. This agreement continues a five-decade tradition supporting French-language learning, with objectives of strengthening linguistic and cultural vitality and ensuring the sustainability of French in the province.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Funding Announced for Maison d’Haïti’s Biennale afro-descendante

Patricia Lattanzio, MP for Saint-Léonard–Saint-Michel, delivered news of $299,910 in Canadian Heritage funding for Maison d’Haïti’s Biennale afro-descendante en mouvement 2025-2026. This allocation supports events promoting women artists of African descent, including networking opportunities, leadership skill development, and professional growth. The funds originate from the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program. Activities under this grant are designed to strengthen visibility for participating artists and broaden creative collaboration within Canada’s cultural sector.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

CRTC Opens Consultation on Television and Streaming Accessibility

The CRTC has begun a public consultation to reconsider rules for accessibility in broadcasting and online streaming, aiming to address issues that affect users who are blind or partially sighted. Comments will be accepted until December 15, 2025. Stakeholders can submit input online or by mail, and accommodations are available for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis participants. The consultation will inform regulatory changes to help users access programming through screen readers, closed captioning, and described video. It follows a complaint against Bell Canada and Bell Media and aligns with objectives in the Broadcasting Act and Accessible Canada Act.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Government Announces $410,000 FedNor Investment for Francophone Arts and Culture

Viviane Lapointe, MP for Sudbury, announced $410,000 in FedNor funding for the launch of the Institut de professionnalisation artistique et culturelle (IPAC) at Place des Arts du Grand Sudbury. The IPAC will offer tailored training, mentorship, and applied residencies for Francophone artists and cultural managers. Partnerships with Collège Boréal and Université de l’Ontario français, as well as pilot programs and expanded provincial offerings, are planned. This investment aims to build business skills, boost cultural enterprise economic impact, and promote regional tourism, contributing to the long-term viability of Place des Arts facilities.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada and Prince Edward Island Sign Minority-Language Education Agreement

Sean Casey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs, announced the Canada–Prince Edward Island Agreement on Minority-Language Education and Second Official-Language Instruction for 2024–2028. With over $16 million in federal funding, the agreement supports the provision of French-language and French-as-a-second-language instruction from early childhood to post-secondary across PEI. This initiative enhances the province’s ability to offer quality bilingual education and maintain French cultural sustainability.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Supports Community Organization in Montréal’s Saint-Michel

On October 16, Patricia Lattanzio, MP for Saint-Léonard–Saint-Michel, will confirm funding for initiatives spotlighting women artists of African descent within Montréal’s Saint-Michel community. The announcement pertains to support for creativity, inclusion, and professional advancement in the cultural sector. Media representatives are invited to attend the event.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Government Invests $2.3 Million in New Media Manitoba for AI

The federal government announced more than $2.3 million for New Media Manitoba to integrate artificial intelligence into the StudioLab xR facility. The funding supports small and medium-sized digital media enterprises in adopting AI and developing new products. Workforce training programs funded by Prairies Economic Development Canada will create AI-related jobs and assist Manitoba digital media companies in establishing a competitive presence. The announcement was made by Ginette Lavack on behalf of Minister Eleanor Olszewski.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

CRTC Consultation on Customer Complaint Resolution Awareness

The CRTC launched a public consultation to examine requirements for telecom and television providers to inform consumers about the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services (CCTS). The process aims to improve awareness and speed up complaint resolution. Comments can be submitted until November 17, 2025. The initiative is part of the Consumer Protections Action Plan and follows research indicating only 2% of customers were made aware of the CCTS during unresolved disputes.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Commits $950,000 to Musée des cultures du monde Facility Upgrades

Caroline Desrochers, MP for Trois-Rivières, announced $950,000 in Canadian Heritage funding for the Musée des cultures du monde in Nicolet, Quebec. The funds, allocated from the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, will upgrade and renovate the museum, addressing structural needs (roofs, siding, windows, doors, heating/cooling, and floors) and acquiring new equipment. This investment will support the museum’s ongoing role in preserving community heritage and cultural creativity.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Iskut Band Opens Łuwechōn Kots’ede’i Kime School with Federal Partnership

The Iskut Band, in cooperation with Indigenous Services Canada, celebrated the opening of Łuwechōn Kots’ede’i Kime (Łuwechōn House of Learning) on October 16, 2025. The new facility replaces the Klappan Independent School, enhancing education offerings from kindergarten to grade 9 and supporting online learning for senior grades. Nearly $24.5 million in federal funding was allocated, with $900,000 provided by the Iskut Band. The school is designed to strengthen connections to Tahltan culture and language and is expected to support future expansion as enrollment grows.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canadian Provincial GR News

Quebec Opens Project Call for Capital Assistance Program Component 2.2

The Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications has launched a call for projects under Component 2.2 of its Capital Assistance Program, supporting non-profit, cooperative, municipal, school, and Indigenous organizations to maintain and restore cultural infrastructure until December 17, 2025.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

Alberta Reopens Ethnocultural and Anti-Racism Grants

Alberta is providing $13.5 million over three years for Ethnocultural and Anti-Racism Grants, with applications closing December 19. Eligible non-profit and community organizations may apply for up to $50,000 for diversity-focused projects and up to $10,000 for anti-racism initiatives.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Quebec Ministry Submits Annual Reports on French Language Commitment

On October 9, Minister Jean-François Roberge submitted the Annual Management Report and the Charter of the French Language Report, detailing administration-wide achievements promoting use and compliance with French language objectives.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

Permanent and Traveling Exhibition Support Call Issued by Quebec Ministry

The Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications opened a new call for permanent and traveling exhibition support, allowing accredited museums and exhibition sites to apply until January 30, 2026.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

CALQ and Université du Québec à Rimouski Collaborate on Art and Science Pilot

CALQ and UQAR have announced a three-year partnership involving artists in film, public art, and classical music collaborating with scientific teams on climate action themes. Artists may submit project proposals by January 13, 2026.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Canada’s entertainment industry grapples with keeping elbows up as Hollywood remains a superpower: Analysis on Canadian entertainment navigating Hollywood's influence.
• Why we’re blowing a generational moment for Canadian culture: Commentary on missed opportunities for cultural strengthening.
• When it comes to Canadian culture in the U.S. trade war, history is repeating itself: Trade tensions resurface in the context of arts and digital regulations.
• From closures to layoffs, B.C. arts organizations struggle to stay afloat: Report on financial pressures facing B.C. arts groups.
• Morning Update: The state of Canadian culture: Daily briefing about cultural sector developments.
• Seven charts that show the state of arts funding across Canada: Visualization of the distribution and trends in arts funding.
• Rosie DiManno: In Hegseth’s war on journalism, truth is the first casualty: Opinion on recent journalism challenges.
• Ireland is implementing basic income for artists. Could Canada do something similar?: Discussion on artist income supports abroad and potential Canadian impact.
• During troubled times in news industry, 168-year-old Atlantic thrives with newspaper-magazine hybrid: Case study of resilience in the news sector.
• Broadway enters an anxious time as labour action threatens to roil theatres: Coverage of theatre industry concerns related to labour actions.

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