Ottawa's budget boosts CBC by $300M and gives media a $501M labour tax credit
The federal budget sets aside $4 billion over five years for arts, culture and media, including $134M for local journalism.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
Update — November 05, 2026: The federal budget tabled Thursday gives Canadians under 25 free admission to national museums at an ongoing cost of $11.5 million a year, and provides $783.1 million over five years, on a cash basis, to museums, the National Battlefields Commission, the National Arts Centre and Library and Archives Canada. It also allocates $60 million over four years to the National Gallery of Canada for travelling exhibitions and digital access, and $1.5 billion over nine years for community recreation facilities and ice rinks.
Radio-Canada and CBC receive $300M over two years in the federal budget presented Thursday by Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne. The budget sets aside $4 billion over five years for the arts, culture and media sectors, and media companies receive labour tax credits totalling $501M over the same period.
The journalism labour tax credit stays at 35 per cent through December 31, 2028. It was 25 per cent when it was introduced in 2023. The budget also extends the credit to audio and audiovisual newsrooms.
The Local Journalism Initiative, which supports independent local news organizations across the country, receives $134M over four years, starting in fiscal 2027-2028.
The government is promising $600M a year, announced in June, to offset royalties that online broadcasters such as Netflix and Spotify no longer have to pay. The Online Streaming Act, passed in 2023, would have required platforms to contribute 5 per cent of their annual Canadian revenue, later raised to 15 per cent.
A new Canada Creative Credit is still unpriced. The budget describes it as a non-refundable personal income tax credit that, combined with the basic personal amount, could recognize up to $45,000 a year of net business income from original artistic work. The government will consult the public on its design and detail costs in the spring economic update.
The budget also sets aside $325M for the Canada 160 Fund ahead of the country's 160th anniversary in 2027.
By the numbers
How much does the federal budget set aside for arts, culture and media?
The federal budget sets aside $4 billion over five years for the arts, culture and media sectors.
How much do media companies receive in labour tax credits in the federal budget?
Media companies receive labour tax credits totalling $501M over the same five-year period as the $4 billion arts, culture and media set-aside.
What is the rate of the journalism labour tax credit?
The journalism labour tax credit stays at 35 per cent through December 31, 2028. It was 25 per cent when it was introduced in 2023.
How much funding does the Local Journalism Initiative receive?
The Local Journalism Initiative receives $134M over four years, starting in fiscal 2027-2028
