COVID-19: Support for culture, heritage and sport sectors
As a response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Government of Canada is taking immediate action to provide support measures and financial relief for the culture, heritage and sport sectors.
Engaging with the community
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Minister of Canadian Heritage Steven Guilbeault, Parliamentary Secretary Julie Dabrusin, and Parliamentary Secretary Adam van Koeverden have been meeting with people working in the culture, heritage and sport sectors across the country to understand how the Government of Canada can best support them through this challenging time. In the fall of 2020, they hosted a series of town halls and roundtables that engaged nearly 4,000 individuals and organizations and received close to 1,000 written submissions. Participants had an opportunity to share their views about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their sectors. They also discussed ideas for a relaunch that will be more fair, inclusive and green. These conversations will help the Government of Canada build towards a stronger and more equitable recovery for Canadians. Here are the anonymized summaries of the roundtable discussions:
- Roundtables on the Future of Libraries and Archives – November 27 and December 2, 2020
- English-Language and Live Performance Sector Roundtable - September 2, 2020
- Visual and Digital/Multimedia Arts, Museums, and Heritage Institutions Sectors Roundtable - September 3, 2020
- French-Language Live Performance Sector Roundtable - September 8, 2020
- Music Sector Roundtable - September 10, 2020
- Green Recovery Roundtable - September 11, 2020
- Broadcasting Sector Roundtable - September 17, 2020
- Film and Television Industry Roundtable - September 18, 2020
- Anti-Racism and Equity Roundtable – September 24, 2020
- Publishing Sector Roundtable - September 25, 2020
- Roundtable on Accessibility and the Participation of People with Disabilities in Arts, Culture and Sport – October 1, 2020
- Roundtable on Advancing Equity for Women, Non-Binary People and LGBTQ2+ Communities - October 5, 2020
- Journalism Sector Roundtable - October 5, 2020
- Recreational Sport Roundtable - October 7, 2020
- Indigenous Sport Roundtable - October 7, 2020
- High Performance Sport Roundtable – October 8, 2020
Emergency support
The Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations provides additional temporary relief to support these organizations and help them plan for the future.
General information
For further information about the COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund:
- consult the questions and answers page
- contact the Department of Canadian Heritage
- Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations Recipient Survey
- New: Continued Support for Arts, Culture, Heritage and Sport Sector Organizations
Emergency Support Fund for Heritage Organizations
The application intake period for the Emergency Support Fund is now closed.
Other support measures
Learn about other emergency support measures available through the Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations.
General
Waiving payments for Part I licence fees for the broadcasting sector
- 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.
More information
Support for Canadian Journalism
- 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.
More information
Government of Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
- 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.
More information
By institution
Canadian Heritage
Support for Canadian Heritage grants and contributions recipients
Visit the Support for Canadian Heritage grants and contributions recipients page for information on Canadian Heritage funding support during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Funding for national museums and the National Battlefields Commission
The Government of Canada announced an emergency investment of $25.7 million for Canada’s six national museums and the National Battlefields Commission
More information
Emergency funding for the National Arts Centre
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
Advance funding - Canada Council for the Arts
- 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.
More information
Digital originals – Micro innovation grants
- 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.
More information
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