The industry received some encouraging news with the release of the 2026 Federal Budget on November 5.
Included in the Budget was an additional $300 million to the CBC/Radio-Canada, to be delivered over two years starting in 2026-2027. This will be a welcome new investment into the CBC, which has long been in need of more funding.
In addition, on November 8, the Federal Government released details of how it would allocate the $600 million in planned annual funding as part of its June 3 announcement. This funding is intended to support our sector while the Government develops a new policy direction to the CRTC on implementing the Online Streaming Act (OSA).
Details about the $600 million targeted support are available here and include:
- $213.4 million for the Canada Media Fund,
- $68.5 million for Telefilm Canada,
- $44 million for Certified Independent Production Funds, and
- $51 million for the Indigenous Screen Office.
The announced allocations are encouraging given early indications suggested the Government was considering distributing funds in a way that would have seen less money directed to projects that WGC members work on. The Guild moved quickly in response to the June 3 announcement to advocate for WGC members, and make strong policy arguments in favour of meaningful support for Canadian screenwriters and the industry they work in. This month’s Budget announcement suggests our voice was heard.
Of course, the June 3 announcement, which effectively suspended the CRTC’s new broadcasting policy framework amidst trade tensions with the United States, also raised questions about the long-term prospects of the OSA itself, including obligations under it for streamers to invest in the creation and presentation of Canadian programming. We provided members with an update on this issue here. We have spoken both publicly and privately with government about this, and continue to make the case that the $600 million in funding cannot replace binding regulatory obligations by streamers and broadcasters to contribute to the production of the Canadian dramas, documentaries, children’s programming, and animation.
That work continues apace. While some uncertainty still exists, the OSA remains law and a forthcoming new policy direction implies that will continue to be the case. The WGC isn’t taking anything for granted however. We continue to work with government, and in concert with other like-minded guilds and associations, to emphasize the foundational importance of the legislation.
- TAKE ACTION: If you haven’t already sent a letter to your MP, click here and let them know Canadian screenwriters matter.
Turning back to the $600 million, our next steps on its allocation will focus on how the CMF, Telefilm, and other applicable organizations will disburse the funding, as well as the timing of that disbursement. Encouragingly, the November 8 release included children and youth content as a “priority area”. The WGC is aware of the enormous challenges facing children’s and animation programming, and will emphasize this, among other priorities, in our advocacy going forward.
Also in the 2026 Budget were two new tax measures targeting our sector:
- “Canada Creative Credit”: a non-refundable personal income tax credit that would provide tax recognition on up to $45,000 of annual qualifying net business income derived from original and creative artistic works; and
- “Productivity Mega Deduction”: a measure designed to help producers and storytellers invest in the equipment and technologies they use to create, including cameras, lighting and sound equipment, mixing consoles, editing workstations, projection equipment, and stage infrastructure.
It is very early days for both of these new measures, and the WGC will be looking closely at their development.
As always, the WGC will continue to engage with government to advance and protect our members’ interests.
