The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) is welcoming clarity on the federal government’s $600 million commitment to the audio and audiovisual sectors, including dedicated funding to support local news provided by private broadcasters.
On Sunday, Canadian Identity and Culture Min. Marc Miller provided further details of how the $600 million dollar investment in the audio and audiovisual sectors for the 2026-27 fiscal year will be rolled out, following reiteration of its June commitment in last week’s federal budget.
Providing “stability and direct support to the sectors while longer-term policy, regulatory and market conditions evolve,” the funding will be delivered through six existing programs, including the Canada Media Fund (CMF) ($213.4M), Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) ($51M), Canada Music Fund ($67M), Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting ($10M), Canada History Fund (up to $5M), and Telefilm ($68.5M).
Under CMF’s allocation, another $185.1M is earmarked for various Certified Independent Production Funds, including $44M for the Black Screen Office, Canadian Independent Screen Fund, Broadcasting Accessibility Fund, Bell Fund, Independent Production Fund, TELUS Fund, Quebecor Fund, Shaw Rocket Fund, Vox Fund and M.É.D.I.A Fund to support diverse, accessible and inclusive content and official language minorities communities.
The Independent Local News Fund will receive $80M, while the Commercial Radio News Fund will receive $11.5M to sustain independent local television and commercial radio news, via the CAB. The Community Radio Fund will also receive $7.5M.
Services of Exceptional Importance, which include CPAC, APTN, and TV5 will receive $42.1M. A backgrounder said the funding would serve as a bridge toward implementation of a Services of Exceptional Importance Fund, as announced by the CRTC in May.
“Funding will ensure the continued operation of these services through support for technology modernization, infrastructure renewal, digital transformation, programming, production, discoverability, accessibility and preservation,” the backgrounder stated.
“Together, these investments will extend supported activities beyond content production to address priorities across the broader broadcasting ecosystem, including diversity and accessibility, local news, community radio and public participation in the broadcasting system,” it continued.
“This announcement provides welcome clarity on the government’s commitment to supporting the local news that Canadians rely on every day,” said CAB President and CEO Kevin Desjardins. “This funding recognizes the challenges facing private broadcasters and the vital role they play in informing communities, strengthening Canada’s sovereignty and supporting our democratic institutions.”
“CAB looks forward to working with the government to ensure this support is delivered quickly and effectively to the broadcast newsrooms serving Canadians across the country.”
