Canada Media Fund highlights key data from equity and inclusion initiatives
Toronto, ON, January 31, 2024 – The Canada Media Fund (CMF) today published key findings from our evaluation of the impact of targeted funding provided by the federal government to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). The Creating Change report demonstrates that the $60M in funding, announced as part of the 2021 federal budget and allocated in $20M installments over the past three years, has been a key driver in advancing EDI across Canada's audiovisual sector. Without renewal in the 2024 federal budget, this pivotal funding, which has underpinned significant sectoral growth, will come to an end on March 31, 2024.
"Thanks to this additional funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage, over the last three years we've been able to make great strides in our EDI work by creating new CMF programs and strengthening existing ones," said Valerie Creighton, President and CEO, CMF. "The data we've collected not only demonstrates the economic value of our initiatives but also highlights the impact of CMF programs on the lives of creators and industry professionals across Canada. We're not just funding projects; we're fostering a culture of inclusion and creating change in our media landscape."
Highlights from the CMF's Data Collection
- Pilot Program for Racialized Communities (PPRC): The CMF invested $37.5M in PPRC over three years, supporting 293 projects by Black and racialized individuals. Every dollar invested in the program generated $5.23 toward production budgets. PPRC funding also led to significant economic impacts, including a $176.4M contribution to Canada’s GDP.
- Sector Development Impact: A total investment of $9.7M over three years in Sector Development supported 135 projects, with 85 per cent focusing on Indigenous and equity-seeking communities; the program also contributed to the creation of the Disability Screen Office.
- Program Expansion: Additional programs boosted by the EDI funding included a 23 per cent increase in projects through our Indigenous Program, a 34 per cent increase in projects through our Diverse Languages Program with 15 languages represented, and the development of 32 industry partnerships focused on Indigenous and equity-seeking communities.
- Data-Driven Progress: The PERSONA-ID tool, which launched in 2022-23, measures the demographic makeup of key roles and ownership of CMF program applications. It has helped the CMF with data-driven decision-making and reducing systemic barriers, with an 83 per cent national uptake.
By helping us identify gaps and strengthen strategic decisions, the CMF’s data collection continues to inform our work in championing Canadian stories across all platforms and nurturing a diverse and representative audiovisual sector in Canada. View the key findings here.
About the Canada Media Fund
The Canada Media Fund (CMF) fosters, develops, finances, and promotes the production of Canadian content and applications for all audiovisual media platforms. The CMF guides Canadian content towards a competitive global environment by fostering industry innovation, rewarding success, enabling a diversity of voices, and promoting access to content through public and private sector partnerships. The CMF receives financial contributions from the Government of Canada and Canada’s cable, satellite, and IPTV distributors. Visit our website for more information.
Media contact:
Maxime Ruel
Senior Manager of Communications, CMF
[email protected]
