Canadian Heritage’s Policy on Providing Guidance on Regulatory Requirements
This policy outlines Canadian Heritage’s approach to helping regulated parties understand their regulatory obligations.
Departmental Context
The Department of Canadian Heritage and Canada's major national cultural institutions play a vital role in the cultural, civic and economic life of Canadians. Canadian Heritage and its partners work together to support culture, arts, heritage, official languages, citizenship and participation, in addition to Aboriginal, youth, and sport initiatives. Our mission is to promote an environment in which all Canadians take full advantage of dynamic cultural experiences, celebrate our history and heritage, and participate in building creative communities.
Canadian Heritage administers the Cultural Property Export Regulations and the Canada Traveling Exhibitions Indemnification Regulations. The Department also co-administers two federal tax credit programs with the Canada Revenue Agency: the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit and the Film or Video Production Services Tax Credit.
The Cultural Property Export Regulations support the Cultural Property Export and Import Act by setting the information requirements necessary to export cultural property from Canada. The Canada Traveling Exhibitions Indemnification Regulations describe details related to coverage by the Crown (“indemnification”) for loss or damage to objects and accessories in traveling exhibitions.
Through the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit, the Department supports the creation of Canadian film and television productions and the development of an active domestic production sector. Through the Film or Video Production Services Tax Credit, the Department aims to promote Canada as a location of choice for film and video productions employing Canadians, and to ensure the existence of a production infrastructure of international calibre in Canada.
Canadian Heritage is committed to ensuring that information on the Department’s regulations is understandable and useful to Canadians.
Building an Awareness of Regulatory Requirements
Plain Language Commitment
- Canadian Heritage is committed to developing guidance and providing interpretation using plain and clear language.
- The Department maintains a Frequently Asked Questions page which is available on its web site to provide additional clarity on the regulations.
Providing Guidance and Building Awareness
- The Department uses various tools to guide its stakeholders and the public with respect to the interpretation and application of the federal requirements of its regulations. All of the Regulations are available online.
- With respect to the Cultural Property Export Regulations, exporters of cultural property should also consult the Guide to Exporting Cultural Property from Canada [PDF version, (757 KB)], which assists exporters with the export process including the information requirements which are set out in the Regulations.
- The Canada Travelling Exhibitions Indemnification Program’s site offers a link to the Department of Justice’s site where the Regulations may be found. Paper copies of the Regulations are available upon request by contacting the Canada Travelling Exhibitions Indemnification Program.
- Film and video producers can also consult the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit Guidelines and the Film or Video Production Services Tax Credit Guidelines. These provide general information on the program requirements and can also assist producers in completing an application for either program. The Department also publishes Public Notices that aim to clarify its policies in these areas. This tool also serves to consult or inform stakeholders on new policy initiatives.
Responding to Enquiries
- Canadian Heritage endeavors to respond to enquiries by stakeholders in a clear, consistent, and professional manner, in the official language of their choice and in the form that enquiries are made (orally, written, or as appropriate).
- Stakeholders and the public may send enquiries about the Cultural Property Export Regulations to bcm-mcp@pch.gc.ca or 1-866-811-0055, the Canada Travelling Exhibitions Indemnification Regulations to dgpindemnisation-dghbindemnification@pch.gc.ca or 1-866-811-0055, or the film and video tax credits at bcpac-cavco@pch.gc.ca or 1-888-433-2200.
Commitment to Professional Service
Service Commitment
- Canadian Heritage is committed to service excellence in delivering its programs to Canadians and businesses.
- Questions will be responded to in a timely and respectful manner. Responses will be clear, accurate and complete.
Service Accountability
- The Department will address concerns raised by stakeholders on the quality of interpretation guidance or service quality and respond to them in a timely manner.
- Concerns raised by stakeholders are always treated with the utmost importance.
- When complaints are made, the program will respond promptly with respect and courtesy.
Staff Training
- Canadian Heritage staff are provided with up-to-date policies, guidance material and training opportunities in relation to the implementation of the Cultural Property Export Regulations, the Canada Traveling Exhibitions Indemnification Regulations, and the film and video tax credits to ensure accurate policy interpretation and service excellence in their dealings with the public.
- Canadian Heritage makes every effort to ensure that the responsible program officer possesses the necessary subject-matter expertise and that a competent replacement is available in the event of an officer’s absence.
Stakeholder Engagement
Commitment to Stakeholder Engagement
- Canadian Heritage is committed to engaging relevant stakeholders as may be appropriate, namely through program evaluations in relation to the practices and materials used to provide information and guidance on regulatory compliance.
Stakeholder Engagement Practices
- Canadian Heritage invites feedback from stakeholders and maintains a general enquiry email address (info@pch.gc.ca) and phone number (1-866-811-0055).
Date of Last Revision to this Policy
- This policy was last revised in November 2019.
Related Reports
Consult Canadian Heritage’s acts and regulations web page for:
- a list of acts and regulations administered by Canadian Heritage
- further information on Canadian Heritage’s implementation of government-wide regulatory management initiatives
Consult the following for links to the Cabinet Directive on Regulation and supporting policies and guidance, and for information on government-wide regulatory initiatives implemented by departments and agencies across the Government of Canada:
To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit:
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