Creative groups welcome Miller, thank Guilbeault for his work
Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday afternoon announced Marc Miller is the new minister of Canadian identity and culture and minister responsible for official languages.
The cabinet change comes following former culture minister Steven Guilbeault’s resignation from cabinet over the federal government’s memorandum of understanding with Alberta concerning a new oil pipeline project.
Miller previously served in a number of cabinet positions under former prime minister Justin Trudeau, including as minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship from July 2023-March 2025, minister of Crown-Indigenous relations from October 2021-July 2023, and minister of Indigenous services from November 2019-October 2021.
Independent film and TV producers welcomed the appointment of Miller as Canada’s new culture minister.
The Association québécoise de la production médiatique (AQPM) said in a Monday press release it “looks forward to working with the new Minister to advance important files, including those concerning funding for the audiovisual industry, artificial intelligence, and safeguarding the cultural exemption within the framework of the review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement.”
“Mr. Miller already has experience as a minister. Furthermore, his boldness and curiosity are important qualities for advancing the files he has just inherited,” said Hélène Messier, president and CEO of the AQPM, in an English translation of the association’s press release. “He didn’t hesitate to learn an Indigenous language and has developed a genuine connection to the various communities. The cultural sovereignty of Indigenous communities and that of Quebec are issues that are at the heart of current priorities. We look forward to sharing with him soon all the challenges facing independent production companies and to collaborating with him.”
The Coalition for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (CDCE), which represents more than 350,000 creators and more than 3,000 Francophone and Anglophone cultural enterprises across the country, said Monday it hopes for a collaborative relationship with Miller that will help ensure the continuity, stability, and vitality of Canadian cultural policies.
The CDEC noted in a press release that expectations within the cultural sector are high. “Protecting the cultural exemption in the upcoming CUSMA review, regulating generative artificial intelligence, safeguarding copyright, and fully implementing the Online Streaming Act are among the priorities of CDEC members,” the CDEC’s press release said.
The Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) on Tuesday congratulated Miller on his appointment.
“We congratulate Minister Miller on his appointment as Canada’s new Minister of Culture and Identity. His deep experience in government is welcome, particularly as Canada faces a moment when we must safeguard and promote our cultural sovereignty,” said Reynolds Mastin, president and CEO of the CMPA, in a statement. “The CMPA looks forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the federal government and Minister Miller to grow our media production sector in Canada and to champion Canadian stories on screens at home and around the world.
“We also thank Minister Guilbeault, who was a passionate advocate for Canada’s independent film and television production sector and steadfast in his support for the industry throughout his two terms,” Mastin added.
The AQPM also thanked outgoing culture minister Guilbeault “for the unwavering support he has given to the Quebec audiovisual industry during his various mandates.”
The CDEC extended its thanks to Guilbeault, saying it wanted to acknowledge all the work he has done in service to the cultural community. “Mr. Guilbeault has contributed to significant advancements: modernization of the Broadcasting Act, funding for the audiovisual and music sectors, as well as significant progress on the issue of resale rights for visual artists.”
Screenshot of Marc Miller being sworn in as Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture on Dec. 1, via CPAC
