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: 2026-02-08 to 2026-02-14

📋 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

There are no scheduled committee meetings this week.

Federal Government News

CRTC Details Upcoming Decisions for Broadcasting and Telecommunications

Vicky Eatrides, Chairperson and CEO of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), appeared before the Standing Committee on Finance on February 9, 2026, accompanied by senior officials Scott Hutton, Scott Shortliffe, and Rachelle Frenette. Eatrides noted that the CRTC has provided over $770 million via the Broadband Fund since 2019 to expand Internet and cellphone access to more than 54,000 homes in over 320 communities, including rural and Indigenous regions. She reported increased competitive choice in Internet and cellphone services, contributing to a 37.3% price reduction for cellphone users from 2021 to 2025 (Statistics Canada). Regarding broadcasting, Eatrides outlined progress under the Online Streaming Act, including requirements for streaming services to fund local news, French-language, and Indigenous content, with an estimated $200 million expected annually into the Canadian broadcasting system. She stated that several major decisions on consumer protections and other regulatory frameworks will be issued in the coming weeks and months.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government Invests in Theatre Infrastructure with $51,838 for Théâtre Saint-Eustache

Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, announced an investment of $51,838 through Canadian Heritage’s Cultural Spaces Fund to renovate dressing rooms at Théâtre Saint-Eustache, Quebec. The project will restructure backstage spaces and update furnishings to optimize conditions for performing artists using the Zenith stage. This infrastructure investment is intended to adapt gathering spaces for artists, creative professionals, and communities, in line with broader cultural policy aims for facility improvement in the arts sector.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Cultural Reconciliation Featured in New Federal Building in Shawinigan

A new federal building in Shawinigan, Quebec, was officially opened on February 9, 2026, by François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, acting on behalf of Minister Joël Lightbound. The facility will host 2,000 federal employees and includes significant Atikamekw cultural features, with trilingual signage and art installations developed in partnership with the Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw. Construction was completed under budget at $223 million (versus an original $284 million maximum), with design focused on carbon-neutral technologies, maximizing use of local wood, and integration into the regional environment. The building's spaces are named for the six Atikamekw seasons.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Senate Sitting Touches on Heritage Events, Privacy, Education, and Cultural Issues

The Senate's February 10 session addressed a range of issues tied to cultural heritage and policy. Senator Paulette Senior marked Black History Month, while Réjean Aucoin spoke on Nova Scotia Heritage Day. Other interventions included Senator Klyne’s focus on federal privacy laws, Senator Simons’ inquiry into official social media use, and Senator Clement’s questions regarding the effects of prison education cuts. Kelly Burke discussed official bilingualism and ongoing challenges to maintaining French in Canada. The session incorporated debate around a series of bills of general interest and detailed the role of sport in community engagement.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Allocates $6.4 Billion for Postsecondary Sector Funding Model

The Ontario government is committing $6.4 billion over four years to increase sustainability in the postsecondary sector; new tuition rules will allow up to a 2% annual increase over the next three years, with additional resources aimed at supporting French-language and Indigenous institutes.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Nova Scotia Relaunches Gaelic Language Bursary Program for Study in Scotland

Nova Scotia, with support from the Scottish government, invites applications for bursaries covering tuition and accommodation at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig for up to 13 learners pursuing Gaelic language education.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Financial Support Provided for Restoration of Historic African Nova Scotian Church

Nova Scotia approved $453,531 from the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund to restore Mount Beulah United Baptist Church in Weymouth Falls, aiming to reopen the site as a climate-resilient community hub.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Quebec Opens Call for Projects to Support National Holiday Local Celebrations

The Ministry of Culture and Communications launched a call for project proposals under the Financial Assistance Program for Local and Regional Celebrations of Quebec’s National Holiday, open until March 20, 2026.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

BC Sets Effective Date for New Consumer Protection Rules

British Columbia will implement amendments to the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act on August 1, 2026, expanding protections against high-pressure sales and automatic contract renewals.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Puerto Rico stops for 13 minutes to applaud history and bask in Bad Bunny’s glow: The Star covers Puerto Rico’s public celebration for Bad Bunny’s historic recognition.
• Montreal mayor says it's time to ‘step up’ and invest in city’s art scene: CBC features calls for increased municipal investment in Montreal’s arts.
• Greater Halifax Arts Coalition worried about municipal arts funding: CBC Mainstreet NS discusses concerns over municipal budgets for the arts.
• Loss of government funding, secularism putting many Quebec churches ‘on the brink’: The Star reports on the challenges faced by Quebec churches losing public support.
• How Scholastic became a cultural rite of passage for Canadian kids: CBC examines the impact and legacy of Scholastic book fairs in Canada.

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