We have allocated investments in budget 2025 to increase funding for local and community festivals. We have also reinvested in the program that funds major festivals, such as jazz and blues festivals. So there were investments in budget 2025 to continue increasing funding.
What you're referring to is the program that supports community festivals, for which there is indeed a high level of demand. The distribution of funding has led to some festivals experiencing a decrease in funding. We know that, since the COVID‑19 pandemic, costs have also risen for many organizations. We're very aware of this, and we're trying as much as possible to continue supporting the vitality of these festivals, which are very important in the regions.
As for the eligibility of artists to participate in festivals—specifically whether they must be local or Canadian—again, this depends on the program. In the major festivals program, there may be artists from all over, but in the community festival program, one component stipulates that artists must be local.