Liberals committed to reviewing Cancon funding policy upon Parliament’s return, says Blanchet

The federal government has committed to working with opposition parties in reviewing funding for Canada’s cultural industries, according to Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet (Beloeil—Chambly, Que.). Blanchet, alongside other party leaders, met with Prime Minister Mark Carney (Nepean, Ont.) on Tuesday morning to discuss the aftermath of a breakdown in trade discussions between Canada and the U.S. In a statement, the sovereigntist leader said Carney vowed to engage in cross-partisan discussions on supporting film and television producers across the country. “I had a conversation this morning with Prime Minister Mark Carney—a conversation I believe was positive,” read a translated version of Blanchet’s statement. “We have committed to initiating discussions—starting when Parliament resumes—between the government and the Bloc Québécois regarding sustainable funding for broadcasting and for Quebec and Canadian cultural, television, and film production.” The funding regime for Canada’s cultural industry was upended after Ottawa asked the CRTC to review a decision that would require large streaming companies, like Netflix Inc., Amazon.com Inc., and Apple Inc., to allocate 15 per cent of Canadian revenues for domestic content production. As first reported by The Wire Report, the Liberals also indicated a willingness to scrap the CRTC’s original five per cent threshold, which would eliminate an annual multi-billion-dollar funding injection into the cultural ecosystem. Instead, Canadian Identity Minister Marc Miller (Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Sœurs, Que.) has introduced a new $600-million investment in the cultural sector, which will be renewed on an annual basis, to offset some of the funding originally expected to come from streamers. “A gap remains to be bridged concerning the contribution of online streamers to this funding,” said Blanchet. Miller’s office has not confirmed Blanchet’s pronouncement. The office also did not immediately respond to questions from The Wire Report. Parliamentarians are set to return next month from the summer break. Carney showed that culture is a ‘red line’: Desrochers In addition to the Bloc, Carney’s government has come under fire from cultural advocacy groups over Ottawa’s retreat under the Online Streaming Act. The government’s request for the CRTC to review contribution rules for streamers was widely considered to be a concession at the bargaining table, considering the policy had faced pushback from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration and powerful industry players. However, Canada’s decision to pull out of bilateral trade negotiations has restored the sector’s faith in Ottawa’s position and demonstrated that Carney has drawn a ‘red line’ around the cultural industry, according to Marie-Julie Desrochers, executive director of the Coalition for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. “We all know there’s a link with the discussions with the Americans, and we saw that all the concessions made on the Canadian side did not bring any positive effect,” Desrochers told The Wire Report in an interview. “So, if we want to really protect our cultural sovereignty, we just need to be coherent and act on all the fronts.” For Desrochers, the table has been reset regarding cultural policy, enabling the possibility that certain concessions are reinstated and opening up other avenues for supporting the sector. “If it is a red line, we need to see actions regarding the funding of our content,” she said. “Regarding the request to withdraw the decision of the CRTC, it’s not too late.” “We don’t know what exactly are going to be the next steps, but we are confident there will be a way to be coherent with this position and make sure our broadcasting system is equitable between Canadian and American companies.” Later this year, the Liberals are expected to introduce a new policy direction for the CRTC that will shape Cancon funding. dlegree@thewirereport.ca

Liberals committed to reviewing Cancon funding policy upon Parliament’s return, says Blanchet

Regulatory |
By Davis Legree
|August 25, 2026

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

Liberals committed to reviewing Cancon funding policy upon Parliament’s return, says Blanchet

Regulatory | By Davis Legree |August 25, 2026

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

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Culture change: Carney faces pressure to bring back digital policies after Canada-U.S. trade talks collapse

CRTC adopts indefinite radio licences

OPINION: What’s up (or down) with the CRTC’s website?

Related Stories

Cultural groups feel ‘in good hands’ after meeting with Quebec’s CUSMA lead

CCPA study looks at Online Streaming Act’s impact on cultural sovereignty

Canadians concerned about AI’s impact on environment, children: federal consultation

‘Where’s the plan B?’: Media executives ask for contingency plan if Liberals axe Online Streaming Act during trade talks

Reuse & Permissions

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us

Regulatory |
By Davis Legree
|August 25, 2026