Calling for predictable funding for the performing arts presenting sector has become almost routine over the past five years. However, in the context of a trade war and unprecedented spending review by the federal government, CAPACOA strongly reaffirms the need for long-term support for the domestic performing arts market.
CAPACOA submitted its submission to the Standing Committee on Finance on July 28 as part of the pre-budget consultations for the 2025 fall budget.
No federal budget has been tabled since the 2024 budget, which announced an extension and increase in additional funding for the Canada Arts Presentation Fund (CAPF). As a result, the sector is once again facing a March 2026 sunsetting of this fund, as well as the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage (BCATH) program. This pattern of short-term investments and last-minute extensions is disruptive to the touring and presenting sector. The economic analysis presented in the brief clearly demonstrates the positive and negative impact of the announcements and sunsetting of these additional funds on the gross domestic product of the performing arts.
For these reasons, CAPACOA continues to voice its recommendation for sustainable funding to support the domestic market for performing arts touring and presenting.
CAPACOA also echoes the Canadian Arts Coalition’s plea for the government to allocate 1% of overall spending to arts, culture and heritage.
Summary of recommendations
- Make permanent the supplementary investments of $15.5 million per year in the Canada Arts Presentation Fund (CAPF) and $7 million per year in the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage (BCAH) program. These supplementary funds were first announced in the 2019 budget and subsequently extended and expanded in the 2021, 2023 and 2024 budgets.
- Allocate at least 1% of overall spending to arts, culture, and heritage on an ongoing basis. To achieve this for the 2025-26 fiscal year, the Government should increase its allocations by $330 million, via:
- $140 million to the Canada Council for the Arts; and
- $190 million to the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Without federal support towards events featuring Canadian talent, the Canadian live performance market runs the risk of being dominated by U.S. musicals and music artists.
CAPACOA’s pre-budget submission
Downloads
Figure 1 – Gross domestic product and FCPA
Figure 2 – The live performance value chain and federal funding
The contents of CAPACOA’s pre-budget submission may be freely downloaded and used under the CC Attribution 4.0 International license.
