Historic Support for Live Music, Festivals in Federal Budget 2021
April 19, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Communiqué de presse ici
The Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) expresses its sincere thanks to the Government of Canada, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and Minister of Canadian Heritage Steven Guilbeault for today’s federal budget announcement, which acknowledges our hardest hit sector by announcing $70M to the Canada Music Fund, with $50M earmarked specifically for live music and live music venues.
Additional highlights from the budget include:
$300 million over two years, starting in 2021-22, to Canadian Heritage to establish a Recovery Fund for Heritage, Arts, Culture, Heritage and Sport Sectors.
$70 million over three years, starting in 2021-22, to Canadian Heritage for the Canada Music Fund. This includes up to $50 million in 2021-22 to help the live music sector, including music venues, weather the pandemic.
$200 million through the regional development agencies to support major festivals
$200 million through Canadian Heritage to support local festivals and other events
$49.6 million over three years, starting in 2021-22, to Canadian Heritage for the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Program ($14 million over two years, starting in 2022-23), the Canada Arts Presentation Fund ($16 million over two years, starting in 2022-23), and the Celebration and Commemoration Program ($19.6 million over three years, starting in 2021-22)
Canada Recovery Hiring Program, which will run from June to November and will provide $595 million to make it easier for businesses to hire back laid-off workers or hire new ones
Extension of CEWS and CECRA programs until September 2021
“Today, our collective voice which we all worked so hard to raise, has been heard. It is with great relief that we welcome Budget 2021, which clearly recognizes the integral role the Canadian live music industry plays in our quality of life - as well as its significant economic, social, and cultural benefits,” said Erin Benjamin, CLMA President & CEO. “Our industry has been devastated as a result of COVID-19. This support will help safeguard our nation’s critical cultural infrastructure - and the incredible people, artists and community whose passion and livelihood is live music. We look forward to working with the government to ensure it reaches each and every company and organization who needs it. With today's historic budget, our government has helped us to believe in the future - and we can’t wait to get there, together.”
The CLMA will continue to analyze today’s budget and provide ongoing feedback to the government and industry. For more information on the budget, click here.
ABOUT CANADIAN LIVE MUSIC ASSOCIATION
The Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) is the voice of Canada’s live music industry. Established in response to an identified need in the music industry, the CLMA represents the full spectrum of the live music sector, including concert promoters, festivals, talent agencies, venues, clubs, arenas, performing arts centres, ticketing companies, industry associations and networks, as well as suppliers to the sector. Its mission is to entrench the economic, social and cultural value of live music – creating the conditions for concerts to thrive, from coast to coast to coast. #ForTheLoveOfLIVE
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Ms. Erin Benjamin, President & CEO
Canadian Live Music Association
ebenjamin@canadianlivemusic.ca