Canadian Heritage Committee on June 4th, 2026

[Alana Hirtle, Liberal, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Absolutely.

At the New Glasgow riverfront, The Jubilee is from July 31 to August 2. Buy your tickets now.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Lisa Hepfner]

Thank you.

Mr. Champoux, you have the floor for two and a half minutes.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Back to you, Mr. Curzi.

Yesterday, following the announcement made a few weeks ago regarding the increase to 15% in the contribution from digital platforms to the cultural sector and Canadian broadcasters, the government decided to send the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission back to the drawing board.

How does this decision affect the artists you represent?

[Alexandre Curzi]

Indeed, it's not quite the performing arts, but it's an important decision. This announcement is a bit misleading, actually.

I commend the government for announcing this $600 million. It will help a sector that is facing a major crisis, in which working conditions are rapidly deteriorating. I'd like to point out that the cultural sector is, after all, an industry that generates between $5 and $15 for every dollar invested in it and employs more than 500,000 Canadians, relatively speaking. That said, yesterday's announcement raises some concerns for us.

First, these $600 million will come from Canadian taxpayers. This is meant to offset the fact that we're not asking for money from the major U.S. platforms operating in Canada. These companies aren't paying their fair share, and Canadians are being made to foot the $600 million bill.

So, as an organization, we're not in a position to criticize a government that gives us money and invests in culture, but, on the other hand, we do think there's a certain inconsistency in not making these platforms pay. We understand the government's strategy, but—

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

It's like sugarcoating the pill: They say they're giving you $600 million, but at the same time, they're giving up on long-term funding and on the principle of making the platforms that benefit from our broadcasting and cultural systems contribute.

Madam Chair, I'm going to move a motion on the topic. We just sent it to the clerk so he can distribute it to members of the committee in both official languages. Here it is:

That the committee condemn the government's announcement that it will require the CRTC to reverse the 15% royalty fee imposed on online broadcasters to support Quebec and Canadian production. And that the committee report to the House.

[The Chair, Liberal, Lisa Hepfner]

I'm going to suspend the meeting so members of the committee can read it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Lisa Hepfner]

Members, we will resume.

I'm reminded that we've already made rulings about motions that were submitted but are not related to the subject of the study that we're in. Therefore, I don't believe this motion is in order today.

Go ahead, Mr. Champoux.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Madam Chair, we just demonstrated, with Mr. Curzi, that the government's decision has an impact on the cultural sector. I think this motion is very much related to the study, so I contest your decision.

[The Chair, Liberal, Lisa Hepfner]

We'll take a vote.

Does everybody understand the vote? It is whether to sustain the chair's decision that this motion is out of order.

[Kerry Diotte, Conservative, Edmonton Griesbach, AB]

On a point of order, I misunderstood the question. I want to change my vote.

[The Chair, Liberal, Lisa Hepfner]

Do we need unanimous consent to allow Mr. Diotte to change his vote? I think it's fine.

Everybody's fine with that.

(Ruling of the chair sustained: yeas 10; nays 1)

That is sustained. We'll continue with questions.

We are now going to Mr. Waugh for five minutes.

[Kevin Waugh, Conservative, Saskatoon South, SK]

Madam Chair, I'm going to Mr. Filsinger on start-ups.

There are a lot of start-ups in my city and my province of Saskatchewan. We use the University of Saskatchewan.... Some make it and some don't. I'd like your thoughts on this, because probably one in 10 makes it.

It's an interesting phenomenon, because we need start-ups in this country and you're one of them. You had a vision and you've seen it through, even though you've gone on your own now. I'd like your thoughts on start-ups and where in the gaming industry you see these start-ups surviving.

[Ryan Filsinger]

Yes, that's a really difficult question. There has been some conservative effort in the region. However, the major problem—and I'll focus locally—is that most of the start-up capital remains in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. It is extremely difficult to get noticed, receive money and raise rounds in our region, mostly because of population issues.

There are some local VCs. We have one called Island Capital that focuses regionally. We have the PEI IT Alliance, which has a start-up incubator here called The Foundry, and which my co-founder led for a while. Then there's Volta. I think it's in Halifax.

I'm in full agreement that start-ups are where innovation happens and risks are taken, but it is an extremely difficult process and it's not for the faint of heart. Beyond my focus and care about that in the future, there is a lot to be desired in terms of supports, especially in the smaller regions. How the government can help on that is not something that I have formulated well in my thoughts, but I agree that [Technical difficulty—Editor]. Without new businesses starting, economies and innovation die.

[Kevin Waugh, Conservative, Saskatoon South, SK]

That's where the future's going, and I appreciate your comments about smaller communities.

Saskatchewan, like the Maritimes, is smaller. You often fly over, or the money just isn't there and you go to Toronto or Vancouver, as you mentioned. You made a very good point that Prince Edward Island would give you the money back quicker than Quebec or Ontario would. Those are the kinds of stories that we need to hear, because you have a unique area. Canada does very well in gaming, yet it's an industry that can change just like that, as you know, and sustainability is very tough. Success stories like yours are very good, but we have so few of them.

What would you recommend to the government if you could sit down and give us an instance of these start-ups? We've mentioned the money you got, but others have received money and haven't produced the success story that your company has.

[Ryan Filsinger]

One of the things I found reasonable was that, when we did receive our Canadian Heritage funding, the application process was quite acceptable. It wasn't a serious burden on us. Then the ability to get the cash in time.... It was all pretty quick, within six to eight months from the time we applied. We just wrapped up the project at the end of March.

One thing that we're recommending, especially on the CMF side of things, is that we separate it mostly from the traditional literary media, from film and TV. In Canada across the board, that's an approximately $10-billion industry, and video games are half of that revenue. However, on the CMF side of things, we receive only about 13% to 15% of the CMF funding. Seeing increases in that, as well as separating some of the board seats and some of the funds, should be prioritized for native Canadian intellectual property, as should having a more diverse viewpoint. A lot of the time the funding goes to traditional film and media rather than to the digital arts. It's something that changes rapidly. Having access to more of those funds would help us significantly.

[The Chair, Liberal, Lisa Hepfner]

Thank you.

Ms. Auguste, you have the floor for five minutes.

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

Ms. Morin, you helped revitalize Alberta Avenue in your neighbourhood. You played a part in transforming rooftops, storefronts and other spaces into places where emerging artists can contribute to the cultural scene. In several interviews, you said that your dream was to see the beauty of your neighbourhood shine through the arts.

When you look at Alberta Avenue today, what stands out to you about the way the community is reclaiming it? What catches your eye?

[Christy Morin]

That's a great question.

The community has really begun to come together. I think the biggest thing was being able to see each other and come out of our homes. There's the public art that we now partner with the Vancouver Biennale on. Seeing murals coming together.... Also, there's even the community coming to us on a daily basis and saying, “Christy, we have trouble with this particular back alley.” When we look at that back alley, we do a quick study and then realize that we need to do something. We do greening of the alleys. All of a sudden, we have food security planters that come up so that people can actually eat food from the alleyways. We're also doing presentations and putting arts and paintings in those places that are gritty, renewing and reviving. The trust of the community has probably been one of the most noteworthy things.

It's being together and building and creating spaces. When we look at the different spaces, we see that now we have new buildings coming in that wouldn't have been there if the festivals hadn't been there. We have new money coming in, with people in businesses that are contributing, not doing what we call predatory retail but doing things that are building.

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

Thank you.

I'm also a member of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs. Earlier, you mentioned how some veterans are involved in the arts—something they had less opportunity to do when they were in the military.

Could you tell us a little more about the contributions veterans make to the arts in your community?

[Christy Morin]

We have just created partnerships with the Veterans Association in Edmonton. Many of those folks live in our area because the former base at Griesbach is not too far away from 118 Avenue, from Alberta Avenue. Being able to see them as contributing members.... Many of them have PTSD, as you know, and are dealing with mental health issues and poverty, even using the food bank. We become very connected.

At the festival this year, we're excited to have 1940s and 1950s military equipment—such as old Jeeps and that kind of thing—on the Avenue site so that these veterans feel a sense of pride as well, because they're part of the community. They're going to be building the festival with us. They're looking for opportunities to volunteer. This year, they're actually going to be building the entire festival with us.

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

That's really wonderful. Thank you very much.

Ms. Thibault, in an interview with CBC Arts about the Festival de musique émergente, or FME, you explained that, initially, you were simply tired of driving long hours to Montreal and Toronto to bring in artists, and that you wanted to create more accessible ways to bring art and artists to small towns.

When you think about how far the FME has come since its inception in Rouyn-Noranda, what has this experience taught you about the cultural potential in the regions?

[Jenny Thibault]

I didn't mention it, but I am actually a co-founder of the Festival de musique émergente, which was launched in my hometown, Rouyn-Noranda. I haven't been involved for the past three years, but I was responsible for this festival as a dedicated volunteer for over 20 years.

In my opinion, festivals in remote regions become incredibly important economic drivers for communities. They also become foundational projects in which many volunteers and people get involved in on their own. The FME had nearly 400 volunteers. I believe it's invaluable. It truly serves the common good. Regional festivals energize communities.

The FME was the most popular event, and I believe it remains the region's most important tourist attraction in terms of drawing international visitors. There were international programmers participating, but also many intra-regional tourists from Quebec and even Ontario.

Consequently, we need to protect these projects. They often rely on an army of volunteers and are fundamental to the community.

I believe the festive aspect of a festival really comes into its own when it takes place in a remote region or a small town, because people are there and can't go anywhere else. It really brings people together—not only the participating artists but also the audiences. Sometimes they have the chance to see internationally renowned artists perform on small stages and interact with them. It also helps nurture talent and support emerging artists.

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Lisa Hepfner]

Mrs. Thomas, you have the floor for five minutes.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Ms. Morin, thank you so much for coming today and for sharing your testimony with us. What you've done is quite extraordinary and definitely worth celebrating. You've taken a whole lot of hope, vision, hard work, grit and determination and turned these things into something very lovely and worthy of celebration. There are very few people in this world who want to serve their community's prosperity and betterment, as well as to do that at personal expense in terms of money—I'm sure—along with time and energy. This is despite the attacks, I imagine, that have come against you and concerns pertaining to your personal safety and well-being. Thank you for all that.

My question is simple. I think the world needs more people like you in places of leadership—people who are going to take personal responsibility, invest capital, take risks and believe in the betterment of their communities. Would you consider running for municipal politics?