The House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage met to study the 2025-26 supplementary estimates (B). Appearing were Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Marc Miller, along with department officials Andrew Brown, Francis Bilodeau, Joëlle Montminy, Véronique Côté, and Blair McMurren.
Minister Miller opened by stating that the department received an additional $120.7 million in the supplementary estimates, primarily for grants and contributions to strengthen cultural institutions, support journalism, advance diversity in sport, and fund community arts and heritage projects. He highlighted the renewal of the Canada Strong pass for summer 2026 and emphasized that investing in arts and culture is both a smart economic policy and essential for protecting democratic values and social cohesion. He defined social cohesion as the ability of people to trust their institutions, rejecting the idea that it implies state control of media.
Andrew Brown confirmed that a review of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, which received federal grants, was completed at Canadian Heritage and that the department continues its relationship with the funding recipient. He also noted that work continues on accounting for missing indigenous art, a matter originally identified through an audit led by Crown-Indigenous Relations.
Francis Bilodeau stated that the department is actively working with the cultural and AI industries, including through an upcoming summit in Banff, to address challenges around copyright, licensing, and transparency. He acknowledged that the government is exploring how to modernize the Copyright Act and that the department is advocating for the cultural sector's voice in AI policy. He committed to providing the committee with information on the Anti-Hate Network review and noted that the department is monitoring the situation at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, where the former CEO is no longer in her role.
Joëlle Montminy detailed the creative export strategy, which has helped over 3,000 creative businesses access more than 120 international markets over eight years, and noted that the strategy is up for renewal. She also discussed the importance of building consensus at UNESCO for a potential protocol under the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, to help regulate digital platforms.
Véronique Côté noted that the building communities through arts and heritage program received $400,000 in these estimates, but acknowledged that the program is oversubscribed.
Blair McMurren explained that the Canada arts presentation fund has been deliberately calibrated to support more smaller and medium-sized festivals, which tend to be in smaller centres. He also noted that the department is in a policy dialogue with the arts sector on emerging forms of support, including social finance and philanthropy.
Several members raised concerns about the sustainability of regional and independent media. Minister Miller acknowledged that bills C-11 and C-18 have not been as successful as expected and that the government is working to bridge funding gaps for regional television stations, though he did not have an immediate solution. He also noted that CBC/Radio-Canada is entitled to funding from the Google agreement based on the number of journalists, and that the government is waiting for a CRTC decision that could support CPAC's long-term sustainability.
On the issue of the missing indigenous art, Minister Miller stated there is a moral obligation to treat such items with extra care, and Andrew Brown confirmed that the accounting work continues. Francis Bilodeau added that he would follow up with Crown-Indigenous Relations on the matter.
Regarding the FIFA World Cup, Andrew Brown outlined that the Government of Canada has provided $220 million to host cities Toronto and Vancouver, with an additional $100 million for safety and security costs. He noted that FIFA will run a caravan travelling across the country to involve communities beyond the host cities, and that work is ongoing to ensure a lasting legacy.
On artificial intelligence and copyright, Francis Bilodeau said the department is actively discussing how to modernize the Copyright Act and that the upcoming Banff summit will bring together the AI and cultural industries. Martin Champoux pressed for a split of the Copyright Act to address cultural sector needs separately, which Bilodeau called an interesting idea he had not explored.
On cultural infrastructure, Francis Bilodeau explained that the Canada cultural spaces fund envelope has been reduced as part of a government-wide cost-cutting exercise, with primary responsibility shifting to Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, though Canadian Heritage will still support equipment for cultural spaces.
The committee also discussed the impact of Live Nation's monopoly on the festival industry, the need for equitable access to cultural programs for smaller communities, and the importance of supporting both flagship and emerging arts institutions. Officials noted that programs include criteria to ensure regional distribution and that they are working to engage underrepresented communities.
No procedural debate, motions, or votes occurred during the meeting.
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