October 25, 2026 to October 31, 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 meeting on journalism, media, and creative spaces scheduled for November 5: The House of Commons Canadian Heritage Committee will meet on November 5 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to review the state of journalism and media sectors and creative and performance spaces. Draft reports will be considered in camera.
• Procedure and House Affairs Committee to discuss Artificial Intelligence and Canada’s Democratic Institutions on November 3: On November 3, the Procedure and House Affairs Committee will hear witnesses and review AI’s impact on Canada’s democratic institutions, including testimony from the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, AI Governance and Safety Canada, Brilliant With AI, and Library and Archives of Canada, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Senate Committee on Official Languages to examine draft regulations for French in federally regulated private businesses: The Senate Committee on Official Languages will meet on November 2 at 5:00 p.m. to review draft regulations concerning the use of French, consider a report and future agenda, and hear from multiple francophone organizations. Meeting will be held via videoconference and in camera.

Federal Government News

CRTC launches new database for easier Canadian music identification

On October 29, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) introduced a new, downloadable music database designed to streamline the identification of Canadian music for broadcasters, artists, and the public. The database consolidates information previously dispersed across multiple industry sources, supporting broadcasters in fulfilling Canadian content requirements. The platform features notable Canadian songs and will see ongoing additions, including French, Indigenous, and other third-language music. As part of its launch phase, the CRTC invites user feedback to further optimize the tool. The move accompanies broader measures to modernize broadcasting, such as ending periodic licensing renewals for radio stations. The CRTC intends for these changes to reduce administrative complexity and facilitate broader playing and discovery of Canadian music nationwide.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal government doubles investment in McMichael Canadian Art Collection

On October 29, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada announced an additional $25 million in federal funding for the expansion and modernization of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg, Ontario, raising total federal support to $50 million. This matches Ontario's investment for a joint $100 million commitment. Current renovations will create more space for exhibitions, events, conservation, and educational programs, as well as improved accessibility. The project aims to add 30% more space for permanent and special exhibitions, new facilities for packing and touring, and integrate Indigenous knowledge into programs and landscaping. The gallery is closed for redevelopment, with plans to reopen in 2029. The facility is slated to meet net-zero standards and will incorporate design elements sensitiveto climate change and accessibility.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government of Canada and Nova Scotia support new trails for Mi’kmaway Debert Cultural Centre

Federal and Nova Scotia provincial governments jointly announced on October 29 an investment exceeding $1 million towards development of three educational trails at the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre in Debert, Nova Scotia. The announcement was made by Alana Hirtle, Member of Parliament for Cumberland–Colchester, Nova Scotia Minister Dave Ritcey, and Tim Bernard, the Centre’s Executive Director. The trails will enhance the visitor experience and are designed to accommodate visitors with varied abilities. Construction of the cultural centre and the trails is underway, featuring seating and spaces for rest and reflection.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Up to $2 million available for heritage place conservation through Parks Canada

On October 28, Julie Dabrusin, Minister responsible for Parks Canada, opened a call for proposals for 2027-28 under the National Cost-Sharing Program for Heritage Places. Up to $2 million will be granted to conserve sites like national historic sites, heritage lighthouses, and heritage railway stations not administered directly by the federal government. Eligible projects may receive up to 50% reimbursement of qualified expenditures. Parks Canada awarded $2.9 million for 21 projects in the previous cycle, including the conservation of Boar’s Head Lighthouse’s lantern room in Nova Scotia. Application deadline is December 8, 2026; further details are available on Parks Canada’s website.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Telecom Competition Roadmap launched to promote national telecom competition

On October 28, Minister Mélanie Joly announced Canada's first Telecom Competition Roadmap, outlining a national strategy to foster competition in the internet and mobile services market. The roadmap identifies actions to facilitate access to established networks, enable network expansion, and improve consumer pricing by revealing competitive offers and removing superfluous fees. It also addresses deployment of fibre-optic infrastructure and connectivity improvements in northern, rural, and Indigenous areas, with benchmarks including pricing, switching, coverage, and complaint metrics. The government intends the roadmap to encourage network investment and support sector-wide improvements.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Competition Tribunal rules Rogers must pay $15 million penalty for deceptive marketing

On October 28, the Competition Tribunal ruled against Rogers Communications in a case involving its Infinite wireless plans, ordering the company to pay a $15 million penalty. The Bureau had alleged Rogers advertised unlimited data despite throttling speeds after a threshold was reached. The Tribunal also directed Rogers to issue a corrective notice and pay legal costs. Interim Commissioner Jeanne Pratt stated the forthcoming full decision will detail the Tribunal’s rationale.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Statistics Canada releases detailed report on full-time university teaching staff for 2025/2026

Statistics Canada published data on October 28 covering full-time teaching staff at Canadian universities for the 2025/2026 academic year. The report outlines demographic and employment profiles, including variables such as gender, age, academic rank, salary, administrative stipends, teaching responsibilities, and subjects taught. The dataset was compiled from public degree-granting institutions.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Call for Projects for Support of Permanent and Traveling Exhibitions announced by Quebec

The Quebec Ministry of Culture, Heritage, Communications and the French Language launched a Call for Projects for supporting permanent and traveling exhibitions from October 26, 2026, through January 15, 2027. Accredited museums, interpretation sites, and exhibition centers in Quebec are eligible to apply.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Government of Quebec reveals 2026 Quebec Prizes awardees

On October 28, the Government of Quebec announced recipients of its 2026 Quebec Prizes, recognizing achievements in culture and science. Nine cultural awards and seven scientific prizes were presented to individuals contributing to Quebec’s heritage and visibility.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• The Bookshop covers the history, politics, art and business of bookselling through the ages: An overview of how bookselling has evolved in cultural and business contexts.
• Textbook terror: University course sinks teeth into the art of the horror film: A university course examines horror cinema as art.
• From salmonberry harvests to traditional tattoos, Native American culture is spotlighted in November: Native American culture receives attention through various practices and stories.
• Global Player: A video feature with highlights from international arts and media sectors.

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