Responding to a petition sponsored by Conservative MP James Bezan asking the federal government to recover all taxpayer funds spent on the production of the controversial documentary Russians at War, the Canadian government via the minister of Canadian Heritage has said concerns about the Canada Media Fund’s support for the project should be directed to the CMF.
The petition, which garnered 3,047 signatures before closing on Oct. 17, was presented to the House of Commons by Bezan on Oct. 21. The federal government tabled its response Dec. 4.
“It is important to note that as a…
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By Ahmad Hathout
A group of creatives sent a letter last week to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the relevant cabinet ministers requesting that the government include in its fall economic statement a doubling of Canada Media Fund’s stabilization subsidy to $85 million and make permanent a $30-million annual commitment to its equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) initiatives.
The letter, addressed to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge and seen by Cartt, states that the CMF’s EDIA initiatives – backed by a $20 million per year injection over three years from the 2020 federal budget –…
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By Ahmad Hathout
A paper petition calling on the federal government to prop up local radio and television news after a string of layoffs in the industry has been presented to the House of Commons on Wednesday.
The petition, which was carried by Kingston Liberal MP Mark Gerretsen, is asking that government to extend the Canadian Journalism Labour Tax Credit to include radio and television; dedicate 70 per cent of federal government advertising dollars on local radio, TV, print and digital media; and eliminate tax-deductions for advertising purchased on foreign-owned, internet-delivered media sites and services.
“The abrupt departures of radio and television…
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Heritage policy advisor expressed concern over ‘integrity of CAVCO’s administration,’ application alleges
Update: On May 8, 2025, the movie producer discontinued this application.
By Ahmad Hathout
A Canadian movie producer is asking the Federal Court to look into whether Canadian Heritage arbitrarily rejected its tax credit application.
Paige Darcy Productions Inc., which had been created for the sole purpose of producing the movie Paige Darcy and the Case of the Stoned Cat, claims in its judicial review application dated November 6 that Heritage’s Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office (CAVCO) denied its application based on concerns about how it funds its production, despite not raising…
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CBC/Radio-Canada announced Tuesday that it is investing more in local and regional news coverage after the CRTC approved Google’s application to be exempted under the Online News Act, triggering the release of $100 million for news production.
The public broadcasters said it is adding up to 25 journalists in more than a dozen communities that are underserved by broadcast news outlets, with a focus on Western Canada.
“These new positions complement CBC News’ strategy to reach more Canadians by launching new local FAST channels, offering local and breaking news on CBC Gem and the CBC News app, and connected TV platforms in…
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Canadian Heritage announced Monday the launch of a fund that is intended to “support incentives and initiatives to encourage greater participation by diverse communities in the media and cultural industries.”
The Changing Narratives Fund was spawned via the 2024 budget, in which the federal government pledged $10 million over three years to assist “diverse communities and organizations, including Indigenous, Black, racialized, ethno-religious minorities, 2SLGBTQI+ and persons with disabilities, have their stories, experiences and perspectives better represented in the media and cultural industries, which will allow Canadians to appreciate and understand Canada’s diversity,” according to a Heritage release.
The fund will go…
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By Connie Thiessen
Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge has confirmed the appointment of Marie-Philippe Bouchard as CBC/Radio-Canada’s next president and CEO.
Appointed for a five-year term, effective Jan. 3, Bouchard’s appointment had been widely rumoured since last week when Quebec media outlets, including Radio-Canada, reported she was in line for the job.
Bouchard has served as President and CEO of francophone public broadcaster TV5 Québec Canada since 2016, overseeing the TV5 Unis channels and platforms, in addition to presiding over TV5 Numérique, TV5MONDE’s partner in establishing international French-language platform TV5MONDEPlus.
Prior to joining TV5, Bouchard held management and executive positions at CBC/Radio-Canada in legal services, strategic planning, regulatory affairs, and digital services, most recently as Director…
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By Connie Thiessen
The office of Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge says a decision has yet to be finalized on who will succeed CBC/Radio-Canada President Catherine Tait.
Several Quebec media outlets, including Radio-Canada reported this week that TV5 Québec Canada CEO Marie-Philippe Bouchard, will replace Tait in January, citing unnamed sources.
In an email to Cartt’s sister publication Broadcast Dialogue, Canadian Heritage said a candidate has yet been confirmed for the position.
The department said formal steps that must take place before a candidate is selected have not yet been completed. For reasons of cabinet confidentiality, appointment decisions are not disclosed until formalized…
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By Ahmad Hathout
A Senate bill to impose a nationwide framework regulating advertising for sports betting could reduce those ads at a time when the provinces are still navigating the nascent market and as broadcasters are desperately grasping for any advertising dollars they can get, the head of a major broadcasting group told senators on the Transport and Communications committee Wednesday night.
Bill S-269 would task the minister of Canadian Heritage to consult various government departments to create a national framework “with a view to restricting the use of such advertising, limiting the scope or location … or…
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Media conglomerate Postmedia announced Thursday it is partnering with content and marketing company Contend to launch Postmedia Studios, which they say will leverage the new funding ecosystem brought by the Online Streaming Act to bring Canadian stories to film, television and short-form formats.
The companies said they already have a slate of original programming created by Canadians in the works, and all intellectual property will be created, owned and produced by Canadians.
“This includes film, television, and short-form formats that delve into compelling real-life stories and memorable historical events that have shaped the nation,” a press release said. “These productions will…
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