In last night’s (April 28) federal election, Prime Minister Mark Carney formed a projected minority Liberal government.

It has not yet been determined whether the Liberal Party will form a minority or majority government as of publication. However, the Canadian screen industry has begun to react to the news of a fourth Liberal term.

The Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) is among those welcoming the continued government. “We look forward to working constructively with the new federal government to build a film and television industry that is not dependent on U.S. production to survive,” WGC president Bruce Smith said in a statement. “Canadian sovereignty requires Canadian identity.”

The Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) offered its congratulations, noting its recent survey with Abacus Data that showed more than 90% of Canadians agree it’s important to protect Canadian culture and identity.

“During the election campaign, producers were encouraged by Liberal Party commitments to support Canada’s cultural sector through the implementation of the Online Streaming Act, investment in Canada’s public broadcaster and defence of our national cultural sovereignty in future trade negotiations with the United States; the government must now follow through on these commitments,” said CMPA president and CEO Reynolds Mastin.

The Coalition for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (CDCE) congratulated Carney on his victory and called for him to take strong action in protecting Canadian cultural sovereignty.

“The CDCE reminds the incoming government that expectations within the cultural sector are high,” read a bilingual statement from the organization that represents the interests of creators and companies in the cultural sector across Canada.

Among the key priorities CDCE expressed in the release are “mitigating the economic impacts of the trade dispute with the [U.S.], protecting cultural industries in trade agreements, ensuring the implementation of the modernized Broadcasting Act, making targeted changes to copyright legislation and taking action to safeguard creators in response to the disruptions caused by generative [AI].”

Carney had previously said on a campaign stop earlier this month that he would enshrine and increase CBC/Radio-Canada funding by an initial $150 million if elected. The Liberal Party of Canada platform also notes that the government will work to bring CBC/Radio-Canada funding in line with other national public broadcasters over time.

When announcing her proposal for the future of CBC/Radio-Canada in February, former Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge said that Canada’s funding of the pubcaster equals around $33.66 per capita, the second-lowest among G7 countries ahead of the U.S. In that same presentation, St-Onge said the average G7 nation sees $62.20 of per capita funding go to their pubcaster.

The Black Screen Office (BSO) also welcomed the opportunity to work together with the federal government to invest in Black-led organizations and advance equity in Canada’s screen sector.

“[The Liberal Party’s] responses to our election survey signal a willingness to tackle systemic barriers and support Black talent nationwide, and we look forward to seeing them implemented as part of the upcoming budget process,” the BSO told Playback Daily. “We look forward to working with this government, and all Parliamentarians, to turn those promises into tangible action—and to ensure Black stories are funded, valued and seen.”

Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) congratulated Carney and the Liberal Party as well.

“These are critical times for Canada’s cultural industries. Powerful lobby groups representing major U.S. studios are actively pressuring the American government to dismantle Canada’s cultural policies during upcoming trade negotiations,” said Eleanor Noble, ACTRA national president and Marie Kelly, national executive director and chief negotiator. “We trust that your administration will continue to ensure the rights and interests of Canadian workers and creators in the cultural sector.”

Marla Boltman, executive director of the non-profit Friends of Canadian Media, came out in strong support of the continued Liberal governance, said that Canadians have cast their votes in favour of those capable of defending national sovereignty, which includes CBC/Radio-Canada support.

“As we continue to face the uncertainty and unpredictability of Donald Trump, it is essential that all political parties accept that Canadians want and need a robust national public broadcaster.”

With files from Jamie Casemore

Image: Unsplash