The Department of Canadian Heritage has given the Canada Media Fund the greenlight to evolve its funding model and programs.

The CMF announced Monday (Sept. 18) that the department has “unlocked new authorities” to administer its programs, which will “provide the CMF with a modern, more agile funding approach,” according to a statement from Minister of Canadian Heritage Pascale St-Onge.

“We have been listening to the industry’s feedback and understand the need for a more flexible and content-focused support model to respond to the sector’s needs and ongoing transformation,” St-Onge continued.

Details on exactly which new authorities have been unlocked were not available as of press time. However, the CMF indicated in a news release that some of the program changes will include a move away from the Convergent and Experimental streams; an expanded focus on sector development; financing for “all phases of audiovisual content across platforms”; changes to program criteria to “reflect the many ways content is created”; and alignment with the “evolving market and regulations.”

The changes to the CMF’s programs will be “phased in over the next two fiscal years,” according to the release. The funder will launch a consultation process later this fall, which will be used in addition to feedback already collected in past consultations, including the 2021 Spark Courage: What We Heard report.

“I want to thank the many members of Canada’s audiovisual industry who have shared their insights over the years. These new authorities and upcoming program changes that will support the broader audiovisual sector are a direct result of your feedback and advocacy,” said CMF president and CEO Valerie Creighton. “The CMF’s priority will continue to be putting Canadian and Indigenous stories first — stories that represent who we are and who we aspire to be.”

Rod Butler, VP, content and regulation at CMF, tells Playback Daily that the funder is currently formulating its consultation process. “We want to make sure that the industry knows change is coming and that they’re going to be a part of it,” he says.

“In terms of the substance of what those [changes] are, I think that’s going to be determined in the coming weeks and months. We have to make sure we’re moving in step with our partners in government to make sure that we are fulfilling the CMF’s mandate while reflecting the new marketplace,” he added.

Photo courtesy of the Canada Media Fund