Canada Announces New Media Fund

TORONTO: The Canadian government is creating the Canada Media Fund (CMF), whose mandate is to ensure the production of quality content and to make it available on multiple platforms.

The CMF will be created as the Canadian Television Fund (CTF) and the Canada New Media Fund (CNMF) are combined, reformed and rebranded. The announcement was made by James Moore, the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, on the set of Flashpoint, a TV series that is broadcast on conventional television and also online, and is one of the many Canadian scripted series that will benefit from this initiative. 



Four key principles were followed in setting up the CMF: create proper governance and accountability; reward success and require innovation;
focus the investment on what Canadians want; and level the playing field.

“The Canada Media Fund will help our producers and broadcasters to do what they do best: create, entertain, and connect with Canadians,” said Minister Moore. “We are confident that the broadcasting and interactive digital media sectors will continue to contribute to Canada’s economic well-being and will benefit Canadians from all regions of the country.”



The reformed and integrated fund will be fully implemented and in place by April 1, 2010



“Our Government recognizes the challenges currently facing broadcasters and producers,” continued Minister Moore. “The most important thing the Government can do is to ensure that the policies in place are not impediments to the changes required in the media industry. That is where this partnership becomes even more important.”



As explained by the minister’s office, in order to minimize the disruption of the business cycles of both the television and interactive digital media sectors, the CTF and the CNMF will continue to operate under the status quo for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. 


The funds announced for the broadcasting and new media sectors in the 2009 budget will be combined and joined through this partnership with the industry. By adding an ongoing allocation of $20.4 million to this funding each year, the Government will contribute a total of $134.7 million annually to support the production of Canadian programming—through the work of Canadian producers—over the next two years.

“This change will help our producers and broadcasters contribute to the Canadian economy while putting Canadians first. We are leveling the playing field at a time when the industry is undergoing structural change,” added Minister Moore. “Through this investment in the broadcasting and interactive digital media sector, we are contributing to the strength of the Canadian economy and supporting job creation.”