A personal note from Erin Benjamin, President & CEO, about the upcoming federal election
As President and CEO of the Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA), I’ve seen firsthand how Canada’s live music sector is not only a driver of economic growth but a cornerstone of our cultural identity. In the face of today’s generational challenges, on the doorstep of our nation’s future, the time has come to fully integrate and interlace this formidable industry into the systems and policies that shape our society, for the benefit of all Canadians.
The CLMA’s Hear and Now economic impact study underscores the sector’s immense potential: in 2023, live music contributed $10.92 billion to our GDP and supported over 101,000 jobs. Over 19.6 million visitors attended live music events across Canada, and today, music tourism globally is growing at a CAGR of 10%. These numbers, established in the absence of any significant growth-oriented strategy, reflect the undeniable economic value of live music as a job creator, driver of tourism, and a catalyst for growth.
Of course, the impact of live music extends far beyond economics. It’s central to our cultural fabric, shaping how we connect and define ourselves as Canadian. As we face growing uncertainty and instability—we risk losing not just critical economic opportunities but the very essence of our national identity. Who are we if our artists can't continue to create and perform due to financial pressures brought on by the cost of touring, access to performance opportunities, and shrinking resources and supports? What happens to our sense of community, our shared experiences, if we lose our cultural infrastructure… the venues, festivals, and spaces that live music provides? This industry is ready to be harnessed for growth at a time when Canada needs options. As we reflect on our collective future, seizing the power of live music through data-based policymaking will open new pathways to prosperity.
As Ana Serrano, President and Vice-Chancellor of OCAD University, poignantly wrote in the Toronto Star on April 4th, “ Canada needs a shared vision for the future — and we need to start building it now. Building this new shared vision for Canada means treating sovereignty not only as a geopolitical idea, but as a cultural and economic one.” This shift in mindset is essential and overdue (Canada is already lagging). Live music, all arts and culture, must be seen as integral to that shared vision, supported by deliberate, progressive policy.
Ms. Serrano continues, “let’s stop seeing creativity as soft power and start recognizing it as nation-building.” The Ontario Chamber of Commerce says “the culture sector is a significant economic driver and a cornerstone of [our] identity.”
The story of our nation is told by our artists and creators. The story of live music matters to Canadians - our cherished artists, and our data, are evidence of that.
You can support the power, potential, impact, and benefits of live music activity too. Send a letter to the 2025 federal candidates in your riding today asking them how they will leverage live music for Canada’s future.
#CanadaIsLiveMusic
Erin Benjamin,
President & CEO,
Canadian Live Music Association
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Key Live Music Statistics:
The current combined impact of live music company operations and tourism spending related to live music:
$10.92B GDP
101,604 full-time equivalent jobs.
Total labour income of $5.84B.
$3.73B in taxes (including income, property, and consumption taxes)
19.69M visitors
For recommendations found within the Federal Election 2025 #CanadaIsLiveMusic campaign, visit this web page.
Read more about the economic impact of Canada’s live music sector here.
For more information, please contact Erin Benjamin, President & CEO, CLMA at ebenjamin@canadianlivemusic.ca.