Canada’s federal government has tabled its annual budget with more than $120 million in additional spending for Canada’s screen sector, including $42 million for CBC/Radio-Canada to help avert further cuts.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland (pictured) tabled the more than 400-page document, titled Budget 2024: Fairness for Every Generation, on Tuesday (April 16), outlining nearly $53 billion in spending.

The budget includes newly announced investments in the screen sector, in addition to previously disclosed funding, such as Telefilm Canada’s $100 million two-year investment and a permanent $13 million per year allocation for the Indigenous Screen Office.

Among the investments is $42 million for CBC/Radio-Canada for 2024-25, which is meant to support the creation of news and entertainment programming for national audiences.

President and CEO Catherine Tait said in a statement that the additional funding “means we will be able to stabilize our operations, preserve jobs, and continue to invest in programs and services.”

The public broadcaster disclosed in a news release that it has laid off 141 workers and eliminated 205 vacant positions since announcing last December that it would need to reduce its workforce and cut its programming budget to make up for a predicted $125 million shortfall in 2024-25. That shortfall was estimated based on an expectation that CBC/Radio-Canada would receive a 3.3% reduction in its federal allocation for the fiscal year, which did not come to fruition.

The Canada Media Fund (CMF) has also received $40 million across 2024-25 and 2025-26 in a renewal of funding allocated back in 2021 to support equity-deserving groups. The initial $60 million had sunset on March 31, with hundreds of industry members signing letters to the government to renew its investment.

“This funding will allow the Canadian audiovisual industry to remain competitive and resilient in the coming years, while continuing to generate significant economic impacts,” said CMF president and CEO Valerie Creighton.

Another $23 million has been provided to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) over three years. The funds will be used to develop and launch a market for Canadian and international screen content, according to a statement from TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey. “This is a milestone in the evolution of TIFF, and underscores the organization’s essential role as a champion of the Canadian creative industry and its broader economic impact,” he added.

The budget also mentions $15 million in spending on public interest programming services over two years, with $5 million directed to the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC) and $10 million to channels such as APTN, Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) and TV5.

APTN CEO Monika Ille said the funding will enable the Indigenous broadcaster to “continue sharing our impactful stories, celebrating our rich heritage and contributing to the promotion of language revitalization.”

The $5 million for CPAC will help the organization renew its “critical infrastructure,” including equipment, according to a statement from president and CEO Christa Dickenson.

“These investments come at a critical time as the industry continues to find its footing, following multiple years of turbulence and uncertainty,” said Reynolds Mastin, president and CEO of the Canadian Media Producers Association, in response to the budget. “Today’s budget is a win for creators and audiences alike, and I want to thank the Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage, and the entire federal government for their ongoing support of Canada’s media production sector.”

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