CIMA Appeals To Minister of Culture Steven Guilbeault to Prioritize Canadian-Owned Culture, IP and Sovereignty

Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled his new Liberal Cabinet, which will have ramification for some key ongoing issues in the music industry.

Steven Guilbeault was appointed as Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, a post with particular interest to the sector. He was also appointed Minister responsible for Official Languages

The Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) wasted no time in outlining its industry concerns and requests to the new Minister. In a statement, the trade org welcomed Guilbeault to the position while issuing an urgent call to prioritize Canadian-Owned Culture, IP and sovereignty.

"Minister Guilbeault takes on this portfolio at a critical moment for Canada’s cultural sector," CIMA writes after congratulating the new Minister. "As venture capital, global tech platforms, and multinational entertainment corporations expand their dominance and market share, the future of Canadian-owned culture — and the intellectual property that drives it — is at risk without renewed, dynamic and stable investment in the sector."

The organization points to three recent events that they suggest threaten independent music in Canada, and says they "all underscore the growing concentration of global corporate power."

In CIMA's words, they are:

• TikTok’s withdrawal from global licensing negotiations with Merlin, a key advocate for independent music;
• Universal Music Group’s acquisition of Downtown Music’s assets;
• legal challenges launched by global tech giants against the Canadian government’s Broadcasting Act reforms

CIMA also outlines four urgent priorities (again their words):

• Prioritize Canadian ownership in cultural policy and investment frameworks;
• Strengthen competition, trade, and copyright policies to protect existing and spur new investments in Canadian-owned IP;
• Champion Canadian-owned businesses in the cultural sector in international markets;
• Defend Canada’s right to regulate its cultural industries in the face of multinational corporate opposition.

CIMA issued a very similar statement two weeks earlier, when the results of the federal election became known. It also urged Prime Minister Mark Carney to "make the investment in and promotion of Canadian-owned cultural businesses a top priority...to secure a strong future for Canadian culture."

Minister Guilbeault should be familiar with these issues, for he formerly served as the Minister of Canadian Heritage from 2019 to 2021, prior to taking the role of Minister of Environment and Climate Change from 2021 to 2025. There has been quite a turnover in the Heritage/Culture portfolio in recent years. Mélanie Joly served as Heritage Minister from 2015-2018, followed by Pablo Rodriguez, 2018-2019, Steven Guilbeault, 2019-2021, Rodriguez again, then Pascale St-Onge, 2023-2025.

CIMA's statement comes at a pivotal time, as hearings begin on drafting a new definition for CanCon in the implementation of the Online Streaming Act. A court challenge by major foreign-owned streaming companies like Spotify and Apple will also begin in June, with tech companies (joined by Music Canada) challenging the CRTC's mandated fee payments for Canadian Content.