Mandate Letter to the Minister of Canadian Heritage — Key messages and Facts (Unique Commitments)

On this page

• CBC/Radio-Canada
• Regulations for social media platforms
• Culture
• Journalism
• Museums
• Telefilm Canada
• Sport (Funding Programs)
• Indigenous Issues
• Broadcasting
• Copyright Act
• Canada’s Digital Charter
• Heritage places
• Cultural Diplomacy
• Sport (Concussions)

CBC/Radio-Canada

• Message: As we work to modernize the Broadcasting Act, we will consider the recommendations of the legislative review panel relating to CBC/Radio-Canada and how best to position our national public broadcasters in the years ahead.
• Facts: CBC/Radio-Canada received $1.21 billion in parliamentary appropriations for the year-ending March 31, 2019. This figure includes $150 million additional annual funding that was announced in Budget 2016 to support investments in enhanced services including digital Canadian content, and will be provided on an ongoing basis. The Corporation also earned $490 million in revenue, including $249 million from advertising.

Regulations for social media platforms

• Message: We need to promote a safe and inclusive online environment. This is why we intend to introduce regulations to reduce the spread of illegal content, including hate speech.
• We are working with other like-minded countries to find the most balanced approach to address this issue.
• Our approach to social media regulation will protect Canadians online, minimize costs for small and medium-sized businesses, and respect the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
• Facts: In 2019, as a steward of Canada’s information and media ecosystem, PCH received $19.4 million over four years to expand the DCI to support democracy and social cohesion in Canada by building citizen resilience against online disinformation, establishing partnerships to ensure a healthy information environment, and supporting research, policy development and an international multi-stakeholder engagement strategy on diversity of content online.

Culture

• Message: Festivals and performing arts events are important economic drivers that help to develop communities and share our heritage. The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of supporting Canadian music artists who contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of our country. Canadian music artists are also seen as some of our best ambassadors abroad.
• Facts: In Budget 2019, the Government provided increased support for diversity, culture and the arts in part through an additional investment over two years, starting in 2019-20, for the Canada Arts Presentation Fund ($16 million) and the Local Festivals component of the Building Communities through Arts and Heritage Program ($14 million).
• Budget 2019 provided an additional $20 million over two years to the Canada Music Fund starting in 2019-2020. Canadian music industry stakeholders reacted overwhelmingly positively to this additional support towards Canadian music. A modernization of the Canada Music Fund is also being undertaken.
• In its 2018 Budget, the Government fulfilled the commitment it made in the Creative Canada policy framework to increase the federal contribution to the CMF by announcing an increase of up to $172 million over five years and $42.5 million ongoing thereafter.

• Message: Early exposure to the arts and heritage has a positive impact on the lives of young Canadians – contributing to better educational outcomes, promoting inclusion, and inspiring through the richness of Canadian creativity. The Culture Pass will provide a tangible benefit to young people across the country by giving them the opportunity to connect with Canadian arts and culture in their communities.
• Facts: The Government of Canada is committed to introducing an initiative called Culture Pass, a $200 credit that will open the door to a wealth of artistic and cultural experiences for Canadian 12-year-olds.

Journalism

• Message: The news industry has faced significant economic challenges in recent years. The Government has recognized newspapers’ essential role in maintaining a healthy democracy. This is why the Government implemented tax measures worth $595 million over five years to support journalism.
• Facts: Following Budget 2018, the Government announced funding of $50 million over five years to support the production of original civic journalistic content covering underserved communities. Funds were approved for the period from 2019-2020 to 2023-2024, with an allocation of $10 million per year.

Museums

• Message: The process to create a national museum will begin in the near future.
• Facts: In September 2019, Western Economic Diversification Canada again provided $500,000 over two years.

• Message : Our Government is committed to reviewing the Museum Policy as recommended by the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage in 2018, and will begin that process in the near future.
• Facts: In fiscal year 2018-2019, the Government invested more than $396.6 million to benefit museums and heritage institutions in Canada.

• Message: Increased public awareness of climate change is key to achieving a cleaner environment and sustainable economy.
• Facts: Preliminary discussions are underway with Museums and Environment Canada. The Department is working towards establishing a Climate Change Awareness Action Plan by Spring 2021.

Telefilm Canada

• Message: Our Government will continue to invest in Telefilm Canada to support their work in producing distinctive, relevant and innovative feature film, audiovisual and digital content, and to promote it in Canada and internationally.
• Facts: On May 9, 2019, the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism announced $7.5 million in new funding to address the challenges faced by Telefilm in funding French-language productions in 2019-2020. This non-renewable investment was made available immediately for the current fiscal year.

Sport (Funding Programs)

• Message: The Government of Canada is committed to investing in the current and next generation of Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes so that they may perform at their best.
• Facts: Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) ($33 million); Enhanced Excellence funding (via Own the Podium recommendations) ($64 million); Next Generation Initiative (via Own the Podium recommendations) ($5 million per year and is conditional on matching private sector funds, for a total investment of $10 million per year) and Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN)

• Message: The government requires federally funded sport and cultural organizations to take measures to create a workplace free from harassment, abuse or discrimination of any kind.
• On February 19, 2020, MP Lyne Bessette (Brome—Missisquoi, LPC) gave notice of the following motion before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage (CHPC): That the committee undertake a study of how best ensure a national culture of safe sport consisting of both physical safety and sporting environments free of harassment, abuse and discrimination; that the committee hold at least three meetings on this subject with relevant witnesses; and that the committee report its findings to the House. Discussion on the motion is pending.
• Facts: Budget 2019 provides $30 million over five years, starting in 2019–2020, with $6 million per year ongoing, to enable Canadian sports organizations to promote accessible, ethical, equitable and safe sports.

• Message: To create the best experience for participants in Indigenous sport, it is important to recognize that the sport system needs to better reflect the needs and cultural priorities of Indigenous children and youth.
• Facts: Budget 2017 invested $18.9 million over five years, starting in 2017-2018, and ongoing funding of $5.5 million on a four-year cycle thereafter, to support Indigenous sport leadership and culturally relevant sport programming.

Indigenous Issues

• Message: Canadian Heritage is working collaboratively with Indigenous peoples to implement the Act and immediate objectives of appointing an Indigenous Languages Commissioner and up to three Director along with developing an Indigenous Languages Investment Framework. Consultations are currently planned to take place from early March to the end of May
• Facts: Budget 2019 announced an investment of $333.7 million for five years with $115.7 million ongoing to support the implementation of the Act. Investments are currently being managed collaboratively under the existing expanded Indigenous Languages and Culture program. This year, Canadian Heritage received 320 applications.
• With respect to the Inuit’s request for Inuit specific legislation, the Government of Canada is moving forward to implement the Act in its current form as we believe it responds to the unique needs of all Indigenous distinctions. The Inuit are represented at the Joint Implementation Steering Committee and are fully participating.

• Message: We look forward to co-developing this repatriation framework with our Indigenous partners and engaging in discussions with the museum community.
• Facts: Since the early 1990s the Museum of History has engaged in repatriation through four main paths: (1) In response to requests received from Indigenous communities; (2) Through the Museum’s Sacred Materials Project – a Program that was initiated in 1993, and provides Indigenous communities with an opportunity to review collections held by the corporation, identify objects requiring special care, and discuss repatriation, as required); (3) Through the Federal treaty process; and (4) Via a dedicated team that was formally created in 2016 both to proactively plan for repatriation and to respond to individual requests on a case by case basis.
• According to preliminary data from the 2019 Government of Canada Survey of Heritage Institutions, almost one-third of heritage institutions in Canada have collections that include Indigenous cultural property or ancestral remains that are associated with Indigenous Peoples of Canada. This equates to over 6.5 million artifacts and approximately 2,000 full or partial remains.

• Message: The government intends to move forward to advance the priorities identified by the Métis Nation, including providing support for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Métis Nation entering Confederation.
• Facts: The Commemorate Canada program has currently invested over $350 000 over the next two years to commemorate anniversaries associated to Métis Nation 150.

Broadcasting

• Message: The Government is committed to supporting a strong, competitive broadcasting and media sector. We intend to move swiftly to ensure all players, including web giants, support Canadian culture.
• Facts: As committed to in Budget 2017, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and the Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced on June 5, 2018, the launch of a review of the Broadcasting Act, the Telecommunications Act and the Radiocommunication Act.

Copyright Act

• Message: The Government has been reviewing these recommendations, and will continue to do so with a view to ensuring that Canada has a healthy copyright marketplace in which creators and rights holders can reap the full rewards of their work and investments in Canada’s creative marketplace, and where Canadians have access to a variety of content.
• Facts: The Parliamentary review of the Copyright Act was launched in March 2018 under the leadership of the Standing Committee of Industry, Science and Technology. The Government has been reviewing these recommendations, and will continue to do so with a view to ensuring that Canada has a healthy copyright marketplace in which creators and rights holders can reap the full rewards of their work and investments in Canada’s creative marketplace, and where Canadians have access to a variety of content.

Canada’s Digital Charter

• Message: The Government has committed to advance Canada’s Digital Charter, enhance the Privacy Commissioner’s power and create new regulations for large digital companies to better protect people’s personal data and encourage greater competition in the digital marketplace.
• Facts: On May 21, 2019, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development launched Canada’s Digital Charter. The Digital Charter outlines 10 principles that are designed to guide the federal government’s work in the area of digital and data transformation. These principles are: 1) Universal Access; 2) Safety and Security; 3) Control and Consent; 4) Transparency, portability, and Interoperability; 5) Open and Modern Digital Government; 6) A Level Playing Field; 7) Data and Digital for Good; 8) Strong Democracy; 9) Free from Hate and Violent Extremism, and; 10) Strong Enforcement and Real Accountability.

Heritage places

• Message: Responsibility for the preservation of non-federal built heritage and sites falls to a range of various provincial, regional and municipal heritage authorities and is subject to their respective bylaws or legislation. Historic places are essential to Canada’s national identity, and to fostering social cohesion and a sense of connection between Canadians by telling our diverse stories.
• Facts: The Department of Canadian Heritage will collaborate with Parks Canada in their efforts to develop comprehensive heritage legislation for federally owned heritage places.

Cultural Diplomacy

• Message: I am pleased to support the Minister of Foreign Affairs in establishing a new cultural diplomacy strategy. We all have a role to play, including my Portfolio organizations. For example, my department is working with Global affairs Canada, Portfolio organizations such as Canada Council for the Arts and Telefilm Canada and other partners to organize nearly 300 events to showcase Canada as guest of honour at the 2020 Frankfurt Book Fair.
• The new Cultural Diplomacy Strategy is expected to be delivered in coordination with the Creative Export Strategy which was launched in June 2018, in response to a previous mandate letter commitment for the Ministers of Canadian Heritage and Foreign Affairs to restore, update design and increase funding for the Trade Routes and PromArt international cultural promotion programs.
• Facts: PCH has worked with GAC, Portfolio organizations, and other federal, provincial and territorial partners to organize nearly 300 events, and leveraged over $19 million for Frankfurt 2020 with a view to showcasing Canadian culture and the exceptional quality of Canadian cultural products and services, as well as promoting our democratic ideals and values on a global stage.

Sport (Concussions)

• Message: The Government of Canada is dedicated to ensure a safe and ethical sport environment for all Canadians. The prevention of concussions is a complex issue requiring the involvement of many sport and non-sport stakeholders and a multi-faceted approach.
• Facts: We will continue to work with partners, including provincial-territorial jurisdictions, to increase the awareness, prevention and management of concussions.