September 13, 2026 to September 19, 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

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

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• Canadian Heritage Committee Plans Future Business (September 22, 2026): The House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage will meet in camera on September 22, 2026, from 3:30–5:30 p.m. to plan future committee business. Webcast will be available.
• Science and Research Committee Hears on Scientific Information in French (September 22, 2026): On September 22, 2026, the Science and Research Committee will hold a session examining a report on the creation and dissemination of scientific information in French, including testimony from university and research association leaders. This session is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Science and Research Committee Continues Review on Francophone Scientific Dissemination (September 24, 2026): The Science and Research Committee will reconvene on September 24, 2026, to continue its study of the dissemination of scientific information in French, with witnesses from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, NSERC, SSHRC, and the Consortium Érudit. The session runs from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Room 430, Wellington Building.

Federal Government News

Canada Modernizes Audiovisual Coproduction Agreements with UK and Spain

On September 14, 2026, the Government of Canada formalized updated audiovisual coproduction treaties with the United Kingdom and Spain during the Toronto International Film Festival. Minister Marc Miller, along with counterparts from the UK and Spain, signed agreements designed to facilitate collaboration for Canadian producers by easing regulatory requirements. These agreements are expected to enhance industry access to international financing and markets once ratified. The signing events coincided with the launch of TIFF: The Market, supported by $23 million in federal funding from Budget 2024, which aims to link Canadian filmmakers with global business partners. Canada already has nearly 60 coproduction partnerships, with more than $500 million in annual activity, and these treaties are positioned to drive further competitiveness for Canada's screen industries.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CRTC Expands Broadband Fund to Support Network Resiliency Projects

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced improvements to the Broadband Fund on September 16, 2026, introducing eligibility for projects focused on reducing risks from internet and cellphone service outages, including resiliency measures for severe weather and emergencies. The fund remains open for proposals until October 15, 2026. To date, the Broadband Fund has supported high-speed internet and cellphone service expansions in over 320 communities, including 135 Indigenous communities, and has helped build roughly 6,000 kilometres of fibre infrastructure. The new policies come after public consultations and are set out in Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2026-242. The fund contributes to reliability targets for underserved regions and supports federal, provincial, and Indigenous connectivity efforts.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CRTC Commissioner Reviews Regulatory Changes at Canadian Communications Systems Alliance Conference

On September 14, 2026, Ellen C. Desmond, CRTC Commissioner for the Atlantic Region and Nunavut, addressed the Canadian Communications Systems Alliance Connect 2026 conference in Halifax. Desmond detailed CRTC initiatives in telecommunications and broadcasting since 2023, including recent moves to foster competition in internet service markets by requiring large telephone companies to provide wholesale fibre-to-the-home access. Early data show growing use of this new wholesale service. She discussed reductions in regulatory burden with an open-ended licence process for most radio broadcasters and the removal of some reporting requirements. Desmond also mentioned the modernization of the broadcasting framework with pending policy directions regarding the Online Streaming Act. The CRTC recently strengthened consumer protections by removing extra fees and standardizing plan information, and Commissioner Desmond encouraged continued industry participation in regulatory consultations. The commission’s Canadian Telecommunications Market Report was highlighted as a key resource for industry analysis.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Daniel Quan-Watson Appointed Chairperson of Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21

On September 18, 2026, Minister Marc Miller appointed Daniel Quan-Watson as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees for the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax. Quan-Watson is a former Deputy Minister with experience at Crown-Indigenous Relations and Parks Canada. In addition to his previous federal roles, Quan-Watson has served as a speaker on leadership and public service, and is a board member at multiple organizations. His multi-lingual background and executive experience are noted in the federal announcement.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian Forces Artists Program: Media Preview Announced for Ottawa Exhibition

The Department of National Defence announced a media preview of the Canadian Forces Artists Program exhibition, scheduled for September 21, 2026, at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre in Ottawa. The event will feature works from Group 10 artists, with opportunities for press interviews and media documentation before the exhibition opens to the public.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Tuition Fees for Degree Programs, 2026/2027 Released by Statistics Canada

Statistics Canada published data from the Tuition and Living Accommodation Costs Survey on September 16, 2026. The release covers tuition and compulsory fees for undergraduate and graduate students by field of study and student status, with figures available at the national, provincial, and territorial levels. The data allows for comparisons and analysis across jurisdictions and disciplines.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Telecommunications Services Producer Price Indexes: Q2 2026 Data Published

Second quarter figures for the telecommunications services producer price indexes were made available by Statistics Canada on September 16, 2026, with 2020 set as the baseline year (index=100). These indexes track fluctuations in pricing for services including broadband, voice, and mobile communications.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Quebec Opens Fourth Call for Digital Cultural Projects in the Francophonie

The Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications announced the launch of the fourth edition of its Call for Projects for Digital Cultural Development in the Canadian Francophonie, running from September 14 to October 23, 2026. This initiative seeks to improve the discoverability of Francophone content and develop digital skills among artists and cultural organizations.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Manitoba Invests Over $330,000 in Francophone Cultural Infrastructure

The Manitoba government is providing more than $330,000 to support cultural and recreational infrastructure in francophone communities, with funds directed toward libraries, parks, arenas, and community programs across seven rural municipalities and organizations.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Ontario Recognizes Public Art with New Hal Jackman Award at Lieutenant Governor’s Legacy Awards

Ontario celebrated recipients of the 2026 Lieutenant Governor’s Legacy Awards, introducing the Hal Jackman Award for Excellence in Public Art at a ceremony held at the Art Gallery of Ontario. The new award aims to honor individuals and groups for transformative public art projects.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

British Columbia and Surrey Plan Museum Honouring Canadians of South Asian Heritages

The Province of British Columbia and the City of Surrey signed a memorandum of understanding on September 18, 2026, to move ahead with the planning of a provincial museum dedicated to Canadians of South Asian heritages, including community engagement and site identification.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

B.C. Supports Raise-a-Reader Campaign with $500,000 for Literacy Programs

British Columbia has allocated $500,000 to the 2026 Raise-a-Reader campaign supporting child and family literacy initiatives across the province. Since 2017, over $5 million has been provided to this campaign.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Ottawa must be smarter about how it supports Canadian film and TV industry, Miller says: Globe and Mail interviews Minister Miller during TIFF on government strategy for film and television support.
• Toronto arts scene faces cultural and financial challenges amid leadership shake-up: CBC highlights the current climate and management transition in Toronto's arts sector.
• CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS AND PARKS: Financial Post covers developments relating to Canadian cultural institutions and parks.
• Faisal Kutty: Shunning Macklemore: private power can silence speech, even when the First Amendment cannot: Toronto Star opinion piece explores artistic freedom and private control of speech.
• New laws trigger a fresh legal fight over Nazi-looted art in Los Angeles and Auschwitz museums: CTV News World reports on ongoing legal disputes affecting museum collections.

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