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: 2026-03-01 to 2026-03-07

📋 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: State of Journalism and Media Sectors (March 10): On March 10, the Canadian Heritage Committee will hold a session examining the state of journalism and media sectors, featuring witnesses from News Media Canada, Unifor, Friends of Canadian Media, and other organizations. Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Canadian Heritage Committee: State of Journalism and Media Sectors (March 12): March 12, the Canadian Heritage Committee will continue its study, including testimony from representatives of Accessible Media Inc., Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, and Canadian Ethnic Media Association. Time: 8:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
• Official Languages Committee: Regulations for advancement of equality (March 10): The Official Languages Committee will meet March 10 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to discuss regulations advancing equality of status and use of English and French, featuring witnesses from the Fédération culturelle canadienne-française and Fédération des associations de juristes d'expression française de common law.
• Citizenship and Immigration Committee: International Student Program and Study Permits (March 11): On March 11, the Citizenship and Immigration Committee will consider the draft report for the International Student Program and Study Permits, in camera from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Federal Government News

Canada funds commemorative arts projects for Treaty of Peace and Friendship anniversary

On March 5, Jaime Battiste, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, announced $229,125 in federal funding for commemorative activities marking the 300th anniversary of the 1726 Treaty of Peace and Friendship. The Eskasoni Band Council will receive $79,500, and Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey $149,625, through the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program. Activities, planned for Fort Anne National Historic Site in June and Eskasoni in November, include traditional performances and educational workshops, aiming to deepen participants' knowledge of Mi’kmaq culture. Additional projects in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island are forthcoming and will receive further funding under this initiative.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CRTC Vice-Chair discusses regulatory framework and industry competition at Scotiabank TMT Conference

Adam Scott, Vice-Chairperson of Telecommunications at the CRTC, outlined the Commission's ongoing approach to promoting competition and consumer empowerment in the telecommunications marketplace at the Scotiabank TMT Conference in Toronto on March 3. Scott referenced evidence showing a 30% reduction in Canadian mobile prices since 2021, following the CRTC’s MVNO framework implementation, despite a 15% rise in general consumer prices. Scott addressed challenges in the home internet market, noting movement of major ISPs outside their traditional regions to reach approximately 8.5 million homes across four provinces. The CRTC’s focus for 2026 will be regulatory stability. Final fibre wholesale rates are expected to be issued soon, and implementation issues will be resolved proactively. The Commission is also acting on amendments to the Telecommunications Act to increase consumer empowerment tools in response to common switching frictions.

Sources: www.canada.ca

National Film Board documentary set for Quebec theatrical release following international screenings

The National Film Board of Canada announced that Sophie Bédard Marcotte’s documentary, 'J’ai perdu de vue le paysage (I Lost Sight of the Landscape)', will premiere in Montreal cinemas on April 3, with wider release across Quebec planned. The film, which explores the intersection of art and life through a theatre artist’s creative process, received its world premiere at Visions du Réel in Switzerland and special mention at FIDADOC in Morocco. Screenings have also included the Montreal International Documentary Festival and Helsinki DocPoint. The work is produced by Pierre-Mathieu Fortin and continues the filmmaker's focus on intimate, comedic portraits of creative endeavors. It will also be screened at the International Film Festival of Ottawa, March 11-22.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal support aids expansion of Saint-Quentin public library for cultural and economic growth

On March 4, Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault announced a $500,000 federal investment for expanding La Moisson public library in Saint-Quentin, New Brunswick. The contribution will add three multipurpose rooms designed to extend community programs, provide business training, and foster civic engagement. The investment aims to increase access to learning and community activities, strengthening local cultural infrastructure and supporting regional economic vitality.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal funding supports Indigenous youth community-led arts programming in Vernon

The Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, announced $2.14 million in federal support for the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) under the Crime Prevention Action Fund. The project engages Indigenous youth aged 14 to 25 in arts-based cultural expression, leadership development, and connection to syilx teachings. Participants will access wellness supports and engage with Elders while community members collaborate on safety protocols and share cultural resources.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Miller issues statement on Irish Heritage Month

Minister Marc Miller issued an official statement marking Irish Heritage Month in March. Miller referenced the significant contributions of over 4.4 million Canadians of Irish descent—including English-speaking and French-speaking, Catholic and Protestant communities—and the enduring legacy of St. Patrick’s Day. The statement encourages participation in national parades and educational events to recognize this historic community’s role in Canadian arts and cultural life.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Miller recognizes Holi celebrations

On March 4, Minister Marc Miller issued a public statement on Holi, the Festival of Colours. Miller acknowledged its cultural and community importance among Hindu Canadians and others, noting Holi’s role in marking the start of spring and fostering expressions of artistic tradition, including dance, music, and communal gatherings.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal announcement preview for Treaty of Peace and Friendship commemoration projects

On March 4, Parliamentary Secretary Jaime Battiste announced upcoming federal funding for two projects commemorating the signing of the 1726 Treaty of Peace and Friendship, with an official event scheduled March 5 in Eskasoni, Nova Scotia. The announcement preceded further details from Minister Rebecca Alty, indicating ongoing federal commitment to supporting arts-based reconciliation activities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Alberta Francophonie Month and Year of the Francophonie

Minister Tanya Fir announced March as Alberta Francophonie Month and declared 2026 as the Year of the Francophonie, citing over 260,000 French-speaking residents and ongoing initiatives including the Franco-Albertan flag ceremony and French Policy Action Plan.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Quebec artist discoverability in France

Margaux Brugvin’s ongoing work supports the discoverability of Quebec artists in France through social media-driven projects, interviews, and content related to the PLURAL fair and installations from Quebec artists.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Quebec Francophonie cultural program in Benelux

The Quebec Delegation in Brussels announced Francophonie Month events including poetry readings, film screenings, and literary meetings in Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as participation in the Brussels Book Fair.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Alberta Immigrant Impact Awards nominations

Alberta opened nominations for the 2026 Immigrant Impact Awards, with categories including Arts and Sports, highlighting contributions from immigrant artists and youth to provincial cultural growth.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Alberta Budget 2026 funds rural school construction including francophone education projects

Alberta Budget 2026 proposes 16 new rural school projects, with specific investments in francophone education such as the K-6 and 7-12 complex planned for Canmore under the Conseil scolaire FrancoSud.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Thousands take to streets to protest cuts to N.S. arts grants: Civic response to recent provincial arts grant reductions.
• Members of Nova Scotia’s arts and culture sector gather to protest recent budget cuts: Sector stakeholders joined demonstrations against arts and culture budget constraints.
• The case for preserving arts funding in Nova Scotia: Analysis of funding cuts and their projected effect on artistic programming.
• CTV National News: Nova Scotia announces $130M arts and culture funding cut amid deficits: Reporting on Nova Scotia’s decision to decrease funding for arts and culture.
• Thousands gather in Halifax to protest cuts to arts and culture programs: Large public gatherings addressed provincial cuts to arts initiatives.
• Festival celebrates Indigenous cultures through art forms once banned: B.C. festival centers Indigenous arts, featuring performances previously forbidden.
• New survey shows Sask. people want more funding for arts and culture: Survey data suggests increased public support for cultural funding.
• Sask. showing strong support for the arts; survey says: Saskatchewan residents express support for enhanced arts and culture budgets.
• Denmark is set to explore if gastronomy can be recognized as an art form: Danish government to review legal classification of culinary arts.
• Global Player: Feature highlights international arts sector leaders.

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