SOCAN and Canadian Senate Declare Joni Mitchell's Birthday as Music Creator Day in Canada
The newly-marked date, November 7, celebrates homegrown music and the songwriters, composers and publishers who make the industry go round.
Today is officially Music Creator Day.
Spearheaded by SOCAN, the date was acknowledged by Senator René Cormier on Nov. 4 in the Canadian Senate and Member of Parliament David Myles in the House of Commons two days later.
As of 2025, Nov. 7 will now be annually observed as Music Creator Day across the country.
It coincides with beloved Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell’s birthday, paying tribute to her contributions and representing a lasting legacy for the next generation of musicians.
“Thank you for honouring my work in this manner,” Mitchell says in a statement. “Although I have lived mostly in the States since I was 21, I live part-time in B.C.. I have always been proud to be a Canadian and lately more than ever.”
Earlier this year, Mitchell was honoured with SOCAN's 2025 Cultural Impact Award, recognizing her impact as a Canadian songwriter. Canadian singer-songwriter Allison Russell performed a showstopping rendition of "Both Sides Now" at the SOCAN Awards and spoke to Billboard Canada about her work with the legendary artist. "Getting to be in creative communion and community with her has been one of the most surreal gifts of my life," she said.
“I invite you all to sit down and enjoy your favourite Joni song, or a song by any other amazing Canadian, and honour the great musical creators of this country on Music Creator Day,” says MP Myles.
The declaration is accompanied by a recent survey conducted by Pollara for SOCAN on the connection between Canadian music and culture. They report that 81% of Canadians believe supporting local music creators is vital to ensuring our culture thrives for future generations, with 77% noting that local music helps define Canadian culture.
It’s reflected on the charts, too. As of November, five Canadian artists have hit No.1 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart, including two albums from The Weeknd, PARTYNEXTDOOR & Drake’s collaborative $ome $exy $ongs 4 U and Tate McRae’s So Close to What, marking the pop singer’s first No. 1 on the chart. The most recent was Justin Bieber’s Swag, which sat at No. 1 for one week.
On the Billboard Canada Airplay charts, McRae and Bieber have each had their own respective No. 1 tracks on CHR/Top 40, while Three Days Grace scored the top spot twice throughout the year on Mainstream Rock. JJ Wilde, The Beaches and Fionn have shaken up Modern Rock’s No. 1 slot, with the latter’s track “Blow” currently sitting at the top for the third week.
The majority of the top-charting artists have made waves globally, echoing the 78% of surveyors who agree that local music being played around the world helps strengthen Canada’s cultural image internationally. In the survey, 75% said they feel the country is stronger and more vibrant because of its deep roots in music creation and history of producing great music.
“These findings reaffirm what we’ve always known: that music is part of who we are as Canadians. It shapes our identity, strengthens our voice in the world, and connects us to one another,” says Jennifer Brown, SOCAN CEO and Billboard Canada Women in Music 2025 honouree. “We must meet this moment by investing in the people who make our music possible, so Canadian creativity continues to lead, both at home and on the world stage.”
