The Racial Equity Media Collective (REMC) has released the results of a landmark national survey on racial equity in Canada’s screen sector, finding that a lack of data is preventing meaningful progress.

The survey, conducted by Nordicity, collected data from over 30 of Canada’s national funders like the Canada Media Fund (CMF), Telefilm, the National Film Board (NFB), and Canadian Heritage; provincial agencies like Ontario Creates and the Alberta Media Fund; and broadcasters including Corus Entertainment, Rogers Sports & Media, Bell Media, CBC/Radio-Canada, Knowledge Network, TVO, TVA Group, Télé-Québec, TFO and TV5/Unis TV.

The survey evaluated funding for independent productions looking at how that funding reaches creators who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC). It found while broadcasters move the most money, they provide the least racial equity data. While they are obligated to file Annual Production Reports with the CRTC and report data on Indigenous and minority French-language (OLMC) producers for independent productions, they are not required to report any other race-based data. As a result, RECM says there is “a massive black box” when it comes to broadcaster spending.

“Canadians deserve to know how public funds are disbursed. But lack of regulation has left broadcasters with no real impetus to monitor and report on racial equity,” the report states.

Overall, it found the vast majority of organizations don’t collect or disclose meaningful data, stating that when they do, the results point to underrepresentation and underfunding of BIPOC creators.

The report goes further to say that involvement is mistaken for meaningful representation with just a handful of funders actually setting targets. Of the 30 organizations surveyed, only five established public targets for BIPOC participation: NFB, Telefilm, SODEC, Bell Media, and Knowledge Network. Three set broader EDIA (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility) targets, including Creative BC, Creative Export Canada and CBC.

REMC found French-language BIPOC creators face the biggest barriers with limited industry funding and opportunities, compared to their English-language counterparts.

“In the French-language landscape, targets that exist are built from such low baselines they fail to bridge the vast gap for BIPOC creators. Inequity is still entrenched in the system, but progress is possible. We have seen good policy, smart regulation and thoughtful program design bring real and hopeful change. To continue moving forward, we need consistent data collection, strong public targets, and real accountability. Without these, racial equity will remain the exception rather than the norm,” the report concluded.

REMC says the survey findings highlight the need for long-term structural change, identifying five urgent calls to action:

1. Commit to transparency:
Accountability starts with transparency. Collecting and publishing standardized data on ownership, involvement, and key creative roles across all funded projects can no longer be treated as optional. Any organization that fails to make this data public cannot claim to be committed to equity or accountability.

2. Set public targets:
Establish measurable goals for BIPOC participation across funding and leadership. Any organization that does not set clear, public targets cannot be considered to be prioritizing equity.

3. Focus on ownership:
“Involvement” is no longer enough. Prioritize ownership to ensure financial equity, control, and hiring power flow to racialized communities. Without centering ownership, true equity and systemic change cannot be achieved.

4. Strengthen racial equity in French-language contexts:
Address the acute barriers in Québec and other francophone contexts to prevent further widening of the gap. Failing to act decisively will only deepen existing inequities and leave francophone racialized creators further behind.

5. Mandate race-based collection:
The CRTC must regulate and require broadcasters to track and report equity data.

“This report isn’t just a snapshot of where we are, it’s a baseline for where we must go,” said the REMC board, in a release. “The data is clear: progress is within reach, but only if institutions commit to transparency, accountability, and meaningful change. The roadmap is here; what’s needed now is action.”