With the 45th federal election campaign underway, arts organizations have the opportunity to use their voices and advocate for the health of the sector moving forward. Check out this page for the latest updates on party platforms and community engagement tools provided by the Canadian Arts Coalition.
The Current State of Funding for Arts Presentation and Touring in Canada
Canada Arts Presentation Fund
In Budget 2024, the government provided $31 million over two years to the Department of Canadian Heritage for the Canada Arts Presentation Fund (CAPF), starting in 2024‑25. This funding helps to support organizations that professionally present arts festivals or performing arts series.
This amount is nearly double the supplementary funding that has been provided to the program since 2019. From $8 million per year, the program is currently receiving $15.5 million per year.
This supplementary funding has not yet been permanently added to the program’s funding base. The program is still set to return to its 2007 funding level in March 2026.
Building Communities Through the Arts and Heritage Program
In Budget 2023, the government proposed to provide $14 million over another two years ($7 million per year) starting in 2024-2025 to BCAH. As with the CAPF, this supplementary funding will end in March 2026.
A Call For Cultural Sovereignty
Funding increases for CAPF and BCAH have been advocated by CAPACOA under the #FutureOfLive campaign. In the context of a short federal election focused on geopolitical tensions between Canada and the United States, CAPACOA deems a single, simple, unified message is needed to impress upon political parties that a nation state’s sovereignty also depends on its cultural sovereignty.
The Canadian Arts Coalition’s Request
The Canadian Arts Coalition asks that the Government of Canada allocate at least 1% of its overall spending towards arts, culture, and heritage, increasing its current investment of 0.94% by 0.06%.
To achieve this for the 2025-26 fiscal year, the Government should increase its allocations by $270 million, via:
- An increase of $140 million to the Canada Council for the Arts; and,
- An increase of $130 million to the Department of Canadian Heritage.
CAPACOA’s specific recommendations align with the Canadian Arts Coalition’s request. Supplementary funding to CAPF and BCAH totals $22.5 million per year, which is less than one fifth of the Coalition’s requested increase for the Department of Canadian Heritage.
The Establishment of a Canadian Event and Music Tourism Program
Festivals and Major Events Canada (FAME) and the Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) also ask that the Government of Canada establish a Canadian event and music tourism program with a $60 million annual budget to promote the growth, marketability, and attractiveness of the sector.
With experiential travel on the rise, festivals, concerts, and events play a key role in attracting visitors. This funding would support both for-profit and non-profit events, helping them grow and appeal to both domestic and international tourists. Stronger festival tourism would boost Canada’s visitor economy, benefiting sectors like hospitality, dining, and travel. Music tourism, in particular, generates massive local revenue, making festivals a powerful tool for economic growth and cultural promotion.
How Will Each Party Invest in the Arts?
The arts sector would like to know whether or not the incoming government has plans to invest in the arts.
As party platforms become available and/or inquiries have been answered, CAPACOA will populate the information provided by each party below. We will present the information in the order and language that it was provided in. The parties are listed alphabetically.
This section was last consulted on: April 23, 2025
Bloc Québécois
View their platform – Find arts/culture topics on pages 19-20
Conservative Party of Canada
View their platform – There is no specific mention of the arts sector in this document at this time.
Green Party of Canada
View their platform – Find arts/culture topics on pages 88, 111-115
Liberal Party of Canada
View their platform – Find arts/culture topics on page 6
New Democratic Party
View their platform – Find mentions of the cultural sector under “Protecting what makes us Canadian”
People’s Party of Canada
View their platform – There is no specific mention of the arts sector in this document at this time.
Use Your Voice
The Canadian Arts Coalition has created a toolkit filled with engagement materials and ideas that organizations can use to mobilize their communities. Help spread awareness about the importance of the arts!
Note: CAPACOA and the Canadian Arts Coalition are non-partisan (we don’t promote any party over another or tell you which way to vote). We wish to inform and engage all supporters of Arts and cultural expression in Canada, so all parties receive the message that art matters.
Debates
To hear representatives from Canada’s main political parties speak on culture, tune in for an upcoming debate.
Join the Coalition for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (CDCE), Réseau Culture 360°, Culture Montréal, and the Carmelle and Rémi-Marcoux Arts Management Chair for Montreal Debate on Culture (in French): 2025 Federal Elections Shaping the Future of Canada’s Cultural Sovereignty.
Date & Time: Monday, April 14, 2025 – 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Doors open at 3:00 p.m.
Location: HEC Montréal (Downtown Campus) Hélène-Desmarais Building – Rachelle and Alain-Paris Amphitheatre, 3rd floor, 501, De la Gauchetière Street West, Montréal, QC H2Z 1Z5