COVID-19: Support for culture, heritage and sport sectors

• The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) will not issue letters requesting payment for Part I licence fees by broadcasters for the 2020–21 fiscal year.The government will transfer the necessary funds to the CRTC to support its operations.
• Waiving these regulatory charges for broadcasters provides immediate financial relief for the broadcasting industry, freeing up more than $30 million in cash.

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• COVID-19: the Government of Canada Provides Relief to the Broadcasting Sector

• Budget 2019 had announced three tax measures intended to support Canadian journalism that include:
  • allowing certain journalism organizations to register as qualified donees
  • the Canadian journalism labour tax credit
  • the digital news subscription tax credit
• A necessary condition for journalism organizations to benefit from these measures, is Qualifying Canadian Journalism Organization status. In addition, each measure has its own additional eligibility conditions. An Advisory Board is responsible for making recommendations to the Canada Revenue Agency on whether a journalism organization meets certain criteria to receive the Qualifying Canadian Journalism Organization designation.
• The Government is proposing a number of changes and clarifications to these measures that would apply retroactively to the coming into force dates of each of the measures. These draft legislative proposals are in line with the original policy intent of the journalism measures and would help ensure that support is available to Canadian journalism organizations.

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• Support for Canadian Journalism

• No one should have to choose between their health and their wallet. That is why the Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant, and decisive action to help Canadians facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
• A series of economic measures to help support Canadians and businesses have been announced. This includes workers who do not qualify for Employment Insurance as well as non-profit organizations and charities.

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• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan

Visit the Support for Canadian Heritage grants and contributions recipients page for information on Canadian Heritage funding support during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Government of Canada announced an emergency investment of $25.7 million for Canada’s six national museums and the National Battlefields Commission

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• The Government of Canada Maintains Its Efforts to Support Cultural and Heritage Organizations

The Government of Canada announced an emergency investment of $18.2 million to help the National Arts Centre (NAC) ensure the continuity of its operations and be ready to reopen to the public. The Crown corporation is the only multidisciplinary, bilingual performing arts centre in North America.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NAC closed its doors to the public on March 13, 2020 to protect the health and safety of their staff, visitors, and all Canadians. This investment will support the national institution as it continues to be a leader and innovator in performing arts fields, supporting emerging and established artists, and producing quality educational activities. It will also protect jobs on which many Canadians depend.

This support complements the Government of Canada announcement of $25.7 million for Canada’s national museums and the National Battlefields Commission.

Crown corporations, such as the National Arts Centre, are not entitled to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy or any other support measures that the Government of Canada has put in place to date.

• Canada Council for the Arts will issue advances enabling core funded organizations to: meet their immediate commitments, help ensure cash flow and address outstanding payments to the artists and cultural workers they employ.

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• $60M in advance funding to help stabilize backbone of arts sector as it faces COVID-19 crisis

• The Canada Council will provide a total of $1 million in funding to successful applicants to develop, create and share original or adapted works with Canadian audiences online.
• CBC/Radio-Canada will showcase and amplify the discoverability of select projects on one or more of its platforms.

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• Digital Originals - Micro innovation grants