Canada’s federal government announced a $67 million federal investment into the Canada Music Fund at the ADISQ Gala in Montreal, aiming to support audio and audiovisual sectors through 2028.
Announced by Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Marc Miller, the funding forms part of a broader $600 million commitment to Canada’s cultural sector. Ottawa released a breakdown of how the funds will be distributed across five key organizations over the weekend following the federal budget tabled last week.
- The Canada Music Fund will receive $67 million in total federal funding, distributed among five major music organizations.
- FACTOR secures the largest portion at $31.5 million, while Musicaction receives $21 million for the Francophone music sector.
- The funding arrives as part of a promised $600 million cultural sector investment designed to provide immediate relief and long-term stability.
The $67 million injection will be split among five designated organizations that support domestic talent.
Musicaction, which funds and supports Francophone music and music companies, is set to receive $21 million. Meanwhile, the Canadian Starmaker Fund takes $5.7 million, the RadioStar fund receives $3.8 million, and the Indigenous Music Office (IMO) is allocated $5 million.
“Canada’s cultural sovereignty depends on our willingness to invest in our own voices,” said Meg Symsyk, president and CEO of FACTOR, told Billboard.
Symsyk said that the funding backs both Canadian artists and the independent businesses working to bring their music to audiences at home and abroad. The Indigenous Music Office previously released a report highlighting the need for increased discoverability on streaming platforms to connect Indigenous artists with wider audiences.
“Sustained investment makes it possible to look beyond the next release or tour and build for the future,” said Meg Symsyk, president and CEO of FACTOR, told Billboard.
Music industry organizations across Canada welcomed the announcement. The Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) expressed enthusiasm for the government’s recognition of the economic and cultural value of music.
The federal funding arrives as the cultural sector adapts to evolving regulatory and market conditions. These include ongoing debates surrounding the Online Streaming Act and CanCon fund requirements for foreign-owned streaming services during trade negotiations.
Beyond the federal funding announcement, the live music sector continues to expand across Canada. Melissa Bubb-Clarke, chief commercial officer of Live Nation Canada, is slated to accept the Executive of the Year Award at Billboard Canada Women In Music on Nov. 24, Billboard reported.
Live Nation Canada managed a concert season at Toronto’s 50,000-capacity Rogers Stadium, hosting 20 concerts featuring headliners like Bruno Mars, BTS, and Karol G.
“I can give you a million reasons why I think music is as much of a compelling offering, if not more, than sports,” Bubb-Clarke told Billboard.
Kristy Fletcher, president of MusiCounts and chief operating officer of CARAS, will also receive the Impact Award at the Nov. 24 event, Billboard reported. MusiCounts recently announced a $1.4 million donation to support school music programs across Canada amid rising provincial budget deficits.
“MusiCounts has to be there to help fill in some of those gaps, and the gaps do grow,” Fletcher told Billboard.
