The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) is applauding the newly-released federal budget that reiterates a $600 million commitment to provide stability to the Canadian audio-visual sector, however the fine-print appears to only guarantee one-year of funding.
The cultural sector has been eagerly awaiting the formal rollout of what was framed by Canadian Identity Min. Marc Miller earlier this year as an annual investment, following a government policy about-face on enforcing the Online Streaming Act. Thursday’s budget explicitly earmarks the $600 million only for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
The budget text itself does not fully break down the exact distribution metrics or recipients for the fund, simply promising “immediate support to provide greater stability for creators, producers, and broadcasters, helping build a more sustainable cultural ecosystem.”
It also provides $300 million in funding to CBC/Radio-Canada over two years to strengthen the public broadcaster’s capacity “to meet the evolving needs of Canadians across the country.”
It earmarks $134 million over four years, starting in 2027-28, and $41 million ongoing, to support independent and diverse local news organizations via the Local Journalism Initiative, and extends the Canadian Journalism Labour Tax Credit to qualifying private audio and audiovisual news organizations, in line with support provided to outlets that produce written news.
The CAB says those tax credit changes will be significant for Canada’s private radio and television broadcasters and their newsrooms, covering 35% of eligible journalism salaries effective immediately.
“The changes to the Canadian Journalism Labour Tax Credit are critical and welcome support that will help trusted local and national news reach Canadians every day,” said CAB President and CEO Kevin Desjardins. “By extending this support to private broadcasters, the government is supporting the vital role our sector plays in informing communities, strengthening Canada’s sovereignty and democratic institutions, and providing reliable news and emergency information.”
“CAB continues to believe that sustainable and predictable support for news is essential to help Canadians access stories on their country and their communities,” added Desjardins. “We look forward to engaging to ensure that the implementation of the government’s commitment includes immediate support for the trusted local news and information provided to Canadians by Canada’s private broadcasters.”
Budget 2026 also establishes a new form of tax relief for Canadian artists to foster creativity, artistic production, and cultural entrepreneurship in Canada. It additionally sets aside $20 million over four years, plus $5 million ongoing, for the Canada Book Fund to help make Canadian titles easier to discover.
“With today’s budget, the federal government has boldly reinforced the importance of Canadian culture as a key tenet of our national sovereignty,” said Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) President and CEO, Reynolds Mastin. “It will also bring welcome certainty to CMPA members and the hundreds of thousands of Canadian workers employed in this industry.”
