Canadian film, audiovisual groups sign global statement on cultural sovereignty

Four Canadian cultural broadcasting groups are signatories to an international declaration on artistic freedom, cultural diversity, and cultural sovereignty. More than 100 organizations from around the world have already signed the petition, released Monday, May 12. “The impetus for it was, first, what’s happening in the U.S. under the Trump administration, most notably the recent threat to impose a tariff on foreign films,” Reynolds Mastin, CEO of the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA), told The Wire Report, “but also what’s happening in countries around the world, where we’re seeing pressure being applied by the US administration and big global tech companies to weaken the support systems that ensure a strong domestic production sector.” The CMPA signed the declaration, as did the Alliance des producteurs francophones du Canada, l’association des réalisateurs et réalisatrices du Québec, and l’association québécoise de la production médiatique. Mastin said the quick turnaround of the petition meant many anglophone groups in Canada did not get the chance to be initial signatories but he is hopeful they will join the movement in the future. “We were not quarterbacking this, this statement originated in Europe and we were approached to be a part of it,” he explained. The chief domestic concern for the Canadians is the requirement that foreign streaming services operating in this country pay into Canadian content funds. Foreign streamers generating over $25 million in annual Canadian revenues are required to allocate five percent of those revenues to various production funds. Mastin wishes to see that idea strengthened. “Streaming services that greatly benefit from having access to the Canadian market should also be making commensurate contributions to our system and to other domestic production systems around the world,” he stated. He concedes that cultural issues could arise in the renegotiations of the Canada-US-Mexico trade agreement, known as CUSMA. “It’s why it’s so important that our new Heritage minister, whoever that person is, is a strong advocate at the cabinet table to ensure bedrock support for the Canadian cultural exemption and the policies that are protected by that exemption,” he said. The new ministers are to be sworn in Tuesday morning at Rideau Hall. Currently Quebec Liberal MP Steven Guilbeault (Laurier–Sainte-Marie, Que.) serves as minister of Canadian culture and identity and Parks Canada. It is not yet known if he will keep that portfolio or be shuffled into another department. ppark@thewirereport.ca

Canadian film, audiovisual groups sign global statement on cultural sovereignty

Broadcast |
By Paul Park
| May 12, 2025

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us

Canadian film, audiovisual groups sign global statement on cultural sovereignty

Broadcast | By Paul Park | May 12, 2025

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Related Stories

OPINION: What should communications policy look like under a Carney government?

Key Liberal ministers and parliamentary secretaries re-elected, NDP counterparts shut out in election

OPINION: Safeguarding Canada’s sovereignty, economy, democratic institutions depends on strengthening our cybersecurity posture

Rogers urges next federal government to ‘encourage’ investment in Canada; eying potential for third-party investment in sports assets

Reuse & Permissions

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us

Broadcast |
By Paul Park
| May 12, 2025