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.

Dates: 2026-02-02 to 2026-02-08

📋 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

• Finance Committee Reviews Budget Implementation Bill C-15: On February 9, the House Finance Committee will examine Bill C-15, the Budget Implementation Act. Minister Marc Miller and officials from Canadian Heritage, as well as CRTC executive representatives, are scheduled to testify between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages to Examine Part VII Framework: The Senate Official Languages Committee meets February 9 to study the regulatory framework of Part VII of the Official Languages Act, including testimony from TALQ and the Federation of Francophone and Acadian Communities of Canada.
• Senate National Finance Committee to Study Budget and Affordability Bills: On February 10, the Senate National Finance Committee will review Bill C-15 and Bill C-4, hearing from Réseau BIBLIO du Québec, the First Nations Finance Authority, Canadian Urban Libraries Council, and the Parliamentary Budget Officer.
• Senate Transport and Communications Committee to Review Copper Wire Theft: On February 11, the Senate Transport and Communications Committee will examine copper wire theft and its effects on the telecommunications industry, with a draft report scheduled for consideration.
• Public Safety Committee Schedules Clause-by-Clause for Cybersecurity Bill C-8: The House Public Safety and National Security Committee meets February 10 for clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-8, a bill revising the Telecommunications Act for cybersecurity purposes; officials from Communications Security Establishment and Industry Canada are slated to appear from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Federal Government News

Canadian Audiovisual Leaders Discuss Future Strategies at Prime Time 2026

On February 2 in Ottawa, a panel including leaders from the Canada Media Fund, Indigenous Screen Office, National Film Board of Canada, and Telefilm Canada convened with Minister Marc Miller at Prime Time 2026 to discuss future directions for Canada’s audiovisual sector. Valerie Creighton (CMF), Kerry Swanson (ISO), Suzanne Guèvremont (NFB), and Julie Roy (Telefilm Canada) shared perspectives on cultural sovereignty, creative collaboration, and funding frameworks. The session considered ways to reach new audiences, ensure Canadian and Indigenous stories are globally competitive, and evolve funding strategies to address marketplace changes. Attendees heard remarks on the importance of coordinated approaches between public funders and production companies. Leaders stressed alignment of strategies to support innovation, audience engagement, and economic outcomes in domestic content production.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CRTC Adopts Changes to Enable Wider Participation from Official Language Minority Communities

On February 6, the CRTC implemented new measures to make it easier for official language minority communities (OLMCs), along with the French-speaking majority in Quebec, to participate in broadcasting proceedings. After broad public consultation, updates include greater time allowances for OLMC input and clearer identification of issues relevant to these communities during proceedings. This development is part of the CRTC's work to fulfill its mandate under the modernized Broadcasting Act, requiring consultations with OLMCs if decisions may impact them. An OLMC engagement team has been established alongside an Indigenous Relations Team, indicating an ongoing regulatory shift in broadcast engagement. Broadcasting Information Bulletin CRTC 2026-26 and related guidelines were issued to guide administrative processes going forward.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government Launches Search for Indigenous Languages Commissioners and Directors

The Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, Marc Miller, announced on February 4 the opening of applications for the Commissioner and three Director positions at the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages. Candidates are expected to possess knowledge of Indigenous cultures and the state of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis languages. The Office of the Commissioner, established under the Indigenous Languages Act, operates independently and interfaces with Indigenous organizations, governments, and Canadian institutions to support language revitalization. The application process closes March 3, 2026, with application information available in nine Indigenous languages.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Senate Committee Studies Canada Post Act Amendments Impacting Library and Accessibility Services

The Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communications reviewed Bill C-15, proposing amendments to the Canada Post Corporation Act, on February 3. Carrie Chisholm (Canada Post) and Lorenzo Ieraci (Public Service and Procurement Canada) presented details indicating Canada Post plans to sustain services for libraries and free mailings for the blind, even as the bill removes reduced rates for these groups. The amendments would grant Canada Post more latitude in setting postage rates, seeking to address declining mail volumes and a cumulative deficit exceeding $5.5 billion since 2018. Senators raised questions about service guarantees and legislative oversight, particularly concerning rural areas and accessibility. Suggestions arose around operational efficiencies and new revenue streams to support continued service provision.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Senate Official Languages Committee Reviews Regulations for Monetary Penalties under Official Languages Act

On February 2, the Senate's Committee on Official Languages evaluated proposed regulations enabling administrative monetary penalties up to $50,000 for non-compliance with Part 4 of the Official Languages Act. Testimony from the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages addressed complexity in penalty criteria and the exclusion of entities such as port authorities and CATSA. Representatives from Air Canada and VIA Rail discussed operational challenges and advocated for consistent application of bilingual service requirements. Senators expressed concern about the regulatory details and the potential for legal challenges regarding strictness and scope. The issue of deterrence and fairness in penalty implementation was also examined.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Law Commission of Canada and Canadian Bar Association Announce Journalism Fellowship Winner

On February 4, the Law Commission of Canada and the Canadian Bar Association announced Erik Pindera (Winnipeg Free Press) as recipient of the 2026 LCC-CBA Journalism Fellowship. Pindera will produce feature journalism on justice challenges in northern Manitoba, examining topics such as logistics, infrastructure, resources, and cultural sensitivity. The organizations positions this fellowship as advancing public legal education and understanding of justice system issues, particularly in remote communities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

New Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion Announced

Minister Marc Miller announced the formation of the Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion on February 4. The body will include members from academia, community organizations, and civil society, providing advice to the Minister on issues including anti-racism and social inclusion. Activities will include consulting with communities, coordinating relevant national initiatives, and providing ongoing reporting and studies to support government deliberation. Specific membership has not yet been released.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Statistics Canada Releases Book Publishing Industry Data for 2024

Statistics Canada reported that operating revenue for the Canadian book publishing industry grew 3.1% from 2022, reaching $1.7 billion in 2024. The announcement noted this rate of growth was moderate compared to the preceding two-year period, which saw an 8.5% jump partly due to pandemic-era trends. The continued rise in digital reading and online communities, such as those formed around 'BookTok,' contributed to sectoral activity.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Government Supports Yukon African Music Festival through New Funding

On February 6 in Whitehorse, the Teenage Life and Young Adults International Society (TELIYA) received a $65,000 federal investment to stage the annual Yukon African Music Festival. The funding, announced by Brendan Hanley (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs), includes both Events and Development support from the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program and the Canada Arts Presentation Fund. The festival’s activities include regional artist showcases, educational outreach, and workshops connecting participants with African cultural traditions.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Residual Spectrum Auction Results Announced

Minister Mélanie Joly announced on February 6 that 196 residual spectrum licences were awarded to three Canadian telecom companies, covering nearly 99% of licences made available in the 2026 auction. This initiative seeks to encourage broader use of telecom spectrum, foster competition, and improve service, with an emphasis on deployment in rural and remote regions. The licences come with mandatory deployment requirements and are intended to facilitate the expansion of 5G services.

Sources: www.canada.ca

NFB Announces Nuit blanche Programming in Collaboration with Montreal Universities

The National Film Board announced programming for the 23rd Nuit blanche in Montreal, scheduled for February 28 at the NFB Space. The event features the 'Re:Archive' participatory installation, created in partnership with Concordia University’s Film and Moving Image Studies and the Université de Montréal Faculty of Music. Student-led collaborations will allow audience interaction with NFB archives and live music performances. Animated films by emerging creators will screen throughout the night, and the event will showcase the NFB’s mentorship initiatives for young animators.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Quebec Launches Cultural Outing Campaign for February 12

On February 6, the Quebec government announced support for the public initiative urging residents to purchase tickets for a Quebec cultural outing on February 12. The campaign, now in its second year and coordinated by La Vitrine, aims to draw audiences to live performance venues throughout the province.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Alberta Featured in Internationally-Streamed Netflix Series

The Government of Alberta highlighted the appearance of local sites in the Netflix romantic comedy 'Can This Love Be Translated?', which premiered globally on January 16. Provincial support through Travel Alberta contributed to attracting the production, with filming in Calgary, Drumheller’s Badlands, and the Rocky Mountains reaching audiences in multiple countries.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

British Columbia Reports $53 Million Distributed Through Community Gaming Grants

British Columbia’s government reported more than $53 million in 2025 Community Gaming Grants distributed to over 2,500 organizations. Recipients included school councils, youth sports, and arts and cultural programming.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Manitoba Funds Churchill Youth Camp Programming

The Manitoba government invested $57,000 in Camp Nanuq to support renovations and enrich youth and elder programming in Churchill, with activities centered on cultural heritage and intergenerational engagement.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

New Brunswick Releases Public Consultation Results for Education Plans

The New Brunswick government released summaries from public consultations on new education strategies for anglophone and francophone school sectors. The findings reflect input from over 14,000 respondents, with new plans set for release in the spring.

Sources: www2.gnb.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Why protecting Canadian digital sovereignty must be near top of agenda in CUSMA talks with Trump: Opinion piece on Canadian digital and cultural protection policy as CUSMA talks approach.
• Quebec cuts $13M for school cultural activities: Quebec's government announces reductions in funding for school-related cultural outings and activities.
• From climate change to Inuit culture — five things shared by Greenland and Canada: Feature on cultural and environmental commonalities between Greenland and Canada.

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