Spread the Word about the Canada Music Fund (CMF)

The Liberal government has been a strong supporter of Canada’s music sector throughout the pandemic and it promised in the last federal election to increase the annual contribution to the Canada Music Fund to $50 million by 2024-2025.

That’s huge because the Canada Music Fund (CMF) is a key part of what funds FACTOR’s ground-breaking investments in Canadian artists and music companies - including songwriters and music publishers. Last year alone FACTOR invested $21 million in the music sector. 6,500 artists have had support through FACTOR in the last five years.

But FACTOR’s budget can’t keep up with the growing demands for its programming. The other part of FACTOR’s annual budget comes from contributions from private radio broadcasters and those contributions are falling fast. For example, in 2020, FACTOR received $16 million in radio contributions. In 2025 those contributions could be as low as $2 million. This is why the CMF increase is so crucial. But look, that $50 million would only ensure that existing programming continues and is insufficient to create new live programming, especially for the live sector. That’s why music associations across the country have called for an increase to $60 million.

So if the government does not make good even on their $50 million promise to our sector, FACTOR’s budget could be cut in half over the next couple of years. If that happens companies will close, jobs will be lost, artists won’t get the investments they need to record or tour which will harm an already precarious local live music scene.

We need your help to raise the voice of the music community and get this government’s attention. By filling in the fields below you can email your local Liberal MP if you have one, and Canada’s Ministers of Heritage and Finance. Call on them to be Music Champions and keep their promise to increase the budget of the Canada Music Fund.

What Can We Do?

Send An Email: Use this form above by filling out your information and send an email directly to the Liberal government urging them to keep their promise!
Spread the Word: Tell your networks about the #canadamusicfund and use these images to share on social media!

First Name *

Last Name *

Email Address *

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Dear [recipient name will go here],

Your Letter *

The Liberal government has been a strong supporter of Canada’s music sector throughout the pandemic and it promised in the last federal election to increase the annual contribution to the Canada Music Fund to $50 million by 2024-2025. As an active member of the music community in your region, I can tell you that the CMF has been the most important investment tool for local artists in your community.

The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent On Recordings (FACTOR) oversees the distribution of funds from the Canada Music Fund (CMF), playing a pivotal role in our local music community. Over the past five years, FACTOR has supported more than 6,500 artists across Canada, investing a substantial $21 million in the last year alone. Throughout the past four decades, FACTOR has been a primary investor in our local artists and music entrepreneurs, contributing significantly to the Canadian-owned music industry's impressive annual contribution of over $600 million to Canada's GDP. The success stories of talented Canadian artists like Charlotte Cardin, Jessie Reyez, Jeremy Dutcher, Les Cowboys Fringants, Blue Rodeo, Cadence Weapon, Fouki, Alanis Morisette, Patrick Watson, Tanya Tagaq, George Canyon and The Weeknd.

Even with a CMF increase to $50 million, most music associations across the country have called for an increase to $60 million so that FACTOR can build new programming to support the live sector.  

If the government does not make good even on their $50 million promise to our sector, FACTOR’s budget could be cut in half over the next couple of years. If that happens, companies will close. Those that don’t will lay off staff.  Fewer artists will be able to play live, which will harm an already precarious post-pandemic live music scene. It’ll affect our local economies and reduce revenues to the government. Canadian-owned music companies and the artists they serve in your region will also lose what, for many, is the only avenue available to access investment capital. Banks certainly don’t approve loans to music companies and artists. And, perhaps worst of all, future emerging music businesses and talented artists will go undeveloped and unnoticed. 

FACTOR is hitting a funding cliff NOW!! 64% of its funding is acquired through CMF, the remaining 36% is from private radio broadcasters and those portions of funds are dwindling rapidly. For instance, in 2023, FACTOR received $14.2 million from radio contributions. By 2025 that number is expected to drop to as low as $2 million. 

If the government does not keep its promise, the damaging effects on the music sector will be critical.

I'm reaching out to encourage you to champion our local music community and convey this message to the Liberal caucus: Keep the promise! Your government has the opportunity to contribute positively to the future success and growth of our music sector by honouring this commitment. Alternatively, it could be the cause of a potential unraveling. The ball is in your court. Be a music champion. Don't break the promise!

Sincerely,
[your name will go here]
[your email address will go here] [your location will go here]

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