The Government of Canada is providing funding to help alleviate the financial pressure of cultural, heritage and sport organizations and has waived license fees for broadcasters. The following provides a brief summary of these government programs, including details relating to eligibility, how to apply and general terms and conditions, as applicable. We will endeavour to update this page on a daily basis. However, for a complete and up to date description, please consult the applicable program webpage. Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to a Goodmans lawyer. Programs include:
The Emergency Support Fund
Program Overview
- A $500 million fund was established as a temporary relief measure to help alleviate the financial pressures of cultural, heritage and sports organizations and support their business continuity.
- Up to $326.8 million will be distributed by Canadian Heritage1, $55 million will be distributed by the Canada Council for the Arts to help arts organizations that support artists, $115.8 million will support the audiovisual sector, to be distributed by the Canada Media Fund ($88.8 million) and Telefilm Canada ($27 million) and the use of the remaining funds will be assessed based on need. Eligible organizations can receive up to 25% of the total amount of funding approved in the most recent funding cycle for the arts and culture sector and through the Sport Support Program. Grants range from $5,000 up to $100,000 may be awarded to eligible heritage organizations under the Museums Assistance Program based on the applicant’s 2019 total expenses.
Eligibility
- There is a two-phased approach for eligibility:
- Phase 1 includes support for recipients who are projecting a significant financial impact as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic which includes a formula-based top-up to existing recipients of the arts and culture programs.
- Phase 2 will provide temporary support for eligible organizations with heritage collections through the emergency component of the Museums Assistance Program and funding for other organizations such as non-recipient arts and cultural organizations, small broadcasters, third-language producers, organizations in live music, local news organizations, magazines and community newspapers. Further details on Phase 2 will be announced shortly.
How to Apply
- Eligible recipients will not have to apply for funding under Phase 1. The Department of Canadian Heritage will use the most recent applications funded by the program as a basis for topping-up funding. Existing recipients of targeted programs will be asked to fill out an attestation.
- The details about the duration of the program have not been released.
1$198.3 million will be provided to the beneficiaries of arts and culture funding through existing programs as well as other organizations with demonstrated needs, $72 million will be provided to the sport sector, $53 million will be provided to the heritage sector through the emergency component of the Museums Assistance Program) and $3.5 million will be provided for COVID-related projects under the Digital Citizen Initiative
Waiving Payments for Part I Licence fees
Program Overview
- The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (“CRTC”) will not issue letters requesting Broadcasters’ payments for Part I licence fees for the 2020–21 fiscal year.
- Part I license fees will be covered by the Federal government (equivalent to $30 million) on behalf of 107 broadcasters.
Eligibility
- Broadcasters who are required to pay Part I license fees for the 2020-21 fiscal year (“Licensees” defined under the Broadcasting License Fee Regulations, 1997.)
How to Apply
- No application necessary. This is an automatic waiver for Licensees under the Broadcasting License Fee Regulations, 1997.
