June 21, 2026 to June 27, 2026

This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news for professionals in the performing arts, museums, event-spaces, and Canadian and Francophone publishers, newspapers, and social as well as traditional media. Once a week, 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.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

Roundtable Convened on Bill C-34, Safe Social Media Act

The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, will host an in-person roundtable in Winnipeg on June 26, 2026, with the Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport), focused on the government's new Safe Social Media Act, Bill C-34. The roundtable will bring together stakeholders to discuss potential industry implications of the proposed legislation. Media availability is scheduled to follow at 4:15 p.m. Participants must confirm attendance in advance. This event is part of the government’s consultative approach in shaping content regulations impacting online platforms, broadcasters, and the wider arts sector.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Government Invests $96.8M for High-Speed Internet in Rural Manitoba

On June 22, 2026, the Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs, announced over $96.8 million in federal funding to Valley Fiber Ltd. under the Universal Broadband Fund. The project will bring high-speed internet access to more than 7,800 homes in over 50 rural and remote Manitoba communities, including Indigenous communities. The broadband expansion is positioned to improve digital access for arts organizations, museums, and educational institutions in these regions, enabling increased participation in online cultural programs, streaming, and remote learning activities by 2030.

Sources: www.canada.ca

2026 Cross-Canada Consultations on Official Languages Launched

The Government of Canada initiated national consultations on official languages on June 22, 2026. Led by Minister Marc Miller, the process is designed to inform the next federal official languages strategy. Stakeholders—including arts, cultural, language education, and heritage institutions—are invited to participate via an online questionnaire, brief submissions, and in-person sessions between June and November 2026. Feedback will guide future federal policy aimed at advancing the equality of English and French, supporting minority language communities, and sustaining language education initiatives.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Funding for Digital Infrastructure at Calgary’s TELUS Spark Science Centre

On June 23, 2026, Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a supplemental $879,065 investment for the TELUS Spark Science Centre in Calgary. Disbursed through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, this funding supplements an earlier $500,000 grant and will be used to improve the centre’s digital immersion gallery and sustain its real-time robotics demonstration capabilities. This infrastructure investment will allow the institution to deliver advanced hands-on programming that merges arts, science, and digital technology for community engagement and education.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government Supports 46th Festival International de Jazz de Montréal

On June 25, 2026, $600,000 in federal funding was announced by Madeleine Chenette, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, on behalf of Minister Marc Miller, for the 2026 Festival International de Jazz de Montréal. Provided through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund, this support will help enable over 350 performances, two-thirds of which are free to the public. The Festival draws artists from more than 30 countries and impacts Montréal’s local economy and international cultural profile.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Statistics Canada Releases 2025 Television Broadcasting Industry Data

Statistics Canada published new financial data for the television broadcasting sector for the year 2025 on June 25. The release covers industry revenues and expenditures, providing updated information for regulatory and investment assessments related to broadcasting, content development, and media policy.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

2025 Private Radio Broadcasting Financial Statistics Now Available

On June 25, 2026, Statistics Canada made available the annual financial data for the private radio broadcasting industry for 2025. The release offers new figures for revenues, operating expenses, and market composition, informing broadcasters, regulators, and cultural policymakers about recent trends.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Ministerial Statement on Canadian Multiculturalism Day

On June 27, 2026, Minister Marc Miller released a statement recognizing Canadian Multiculturalism Day, underlining Canada's mosaic of languages, creative traditions, and diversity. While not constituting a change in legislation, the statement draws sector attention to official multiculturalism policy, legal frameworks, and programming relevant to arts and cultural organizations active in diverse communities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Ministerial Statement on Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day Focuses on Francophone Heritage

Minister Marc Miller issued an official statement on June 24, 2026, commemorating Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day. The remarks recognized the role of Francophone artists and the French language as a unifying force in Canadian culture. This annual commemoration is of relevance to creators and presenters involved in language-specific programming and Francophone heritage projects.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Joint Statement for National Indigenous Peoples Day Marks 30th Anniversary

On June 21, 2026, Ministers Miller, Alty, Chartrand, and Gull-Masty issued a joint statement for the 30th National Indigenous Peoples Day. The statement, made available in ten Indigenous languages, acknowledges the contributions and cultural heritage of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. Government signals ongoing support for Indigenous participation in cultural, artistic, and linguistic sectors.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Statement on Fête nationale du Québec Released

Minister Marc Miller and Minister Joël Lightbound issued a joint federal statement on the Fête nationale du Québec, marking the day as a time to celebrate the French language, local creativity, and cultural connections. References were made to the contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples in shaping Quebec’s society.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Quebec Unveils Five-Year Audiovisual Strategy

On June 22, 2026, the Government of Quebec released the 2026-2031 Quebec Audiovisual Strategy, focusing on adapting the sector to new audience behaviors and strengthening the market for local content across platforms.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Quebec Begins Modernization of Tax Measures for Audiovisual Industry

The Government of Quebec announced, on June 26, 2026, a review of provincial tax measures supporting the audiovisual industry, aiming to maintain competitiveness and address changes in production and distribution models.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Ontario Invests $60 Million for Digital Classroom Resources

Ontario launched a $60 million initiative to provide all school boards with updated digital learning resources for Grades 1 to 12 beginning September 2026, with Nelson Education Ltd. selected as the resource platform provider.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

B.C. Expands Newcomers’ Guide to Multiple Languages

British Columbia is publishing the 2025 B.C. Newcomers’ Guide in six additional languages to facilitate access for newcomers seeking information on public services, including education and the arts.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Régie Publishes New Media Request Policy Online

On June 25, 2026, the Régie des marchés agricoles et alimentaires du Québec released its Media Request Policy and Procedures, which establishes frameworks for media engagement and communication practices.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• News, cultural groups want clarity on copyright after Ottawa releases AI strategy: Industry voices discuss copyright concerns post-AI framework.
• Advocating for the arts: Stakeholders outline the case for sustained support for the arts.
• Letters to the editor: ‘I don’t know why Canadians and our governments feel it necessary to protect our industries, cultural or otherwise.’: Public debates continue on the scope of policy protection for cultural sectors.
• Group calls for N.B. French immersion programs to be legislated, better protected: Calls are made for legislative action to secure French immersion education.
• Global Player: Weekly cultural highlights from national broadcast media.

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