Issue 20 – June 2026
Our Business Intelligence Bulletin brings you links to research studies, industry statistics, trends, policy development, and other resources of interest to Ontario’s creative industries.
RECENT REPORTS FUNDED BY ONTARIO CREATES
The Sound of Support: Exploring the Music Community’s Caregiver Needs
This report from Music Publishers Canada and Women in Music Canada investigates the needs of caregivers working in the music industry. It can be challenging for those with caregiver responsibilities to survive and thrive in music sector careers – an industry with a reputation for gig work, late nights, and extensive touring. The report presents findings of a literature review, survey, focus groups and interviews to paint a picture of caregivers in the Canadian music industry, identify key common themes and challenges, describe existing supports and resources, and identify opportunities to build awareness and improve support for caregivers.
DATA RELEASES
Ontario Creates is excited to share that we will be launching a new dataset to better capture the economic impact of Ontario’s creative industries.
In Spring 2026, Ontario Creates will be introducing the Creative Industries Economic Results Assessment (CIERATM) dataset for Ontario. CIERATM is an ongoing collaboration between Creative BC, Deetken Insight, Notio Media and now Ontario Creates.
CIERATM provides timely, annual estimates of gross domestic product (GDP), jobs, and output for Ontario’s publishing, screen and music industries, as well as the new multi-industry creators and services, which reflects the economic impact of companies and creators supplying skills and services to more than one creative industry.
We will be releasing 2024 Ontario CIERATM data in the coming months, so stay tuned!
CREATIVE INDUSTRIES POLICY AND FUNDING
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission continues to implement the Online Streaming Act. In December the Commission issued a new regulatory policy relating to described video and audio description for programs provided by traditional and online streaming services. Effective December 17, 2027, online streaming services and on-demand services will be required to provide described video on all new scripted pre-recorded original programs, as well as to include described video in any new third-party programs and on any partially scripted live events of national interest. All original productions of information-based programs will be required to include audio description. Online streaming services and on-demand services will also be required to offer an accessible search feature to help Canadians find programs with described video.
The CRTC also published a third-party study to look at how Canadian audio and video content, including sports and news, is found, promoted and made visible on both traditional and online platforms to inform its forthcoming proceedings on tailored conditions of service (coming in 2026).
The most up-to-date information about the progress of implementing the Online Streaming Act can be found here.
Meanwhile, the Federal Court of Appeal has dismissed two separate appeal proceedings about the CRTC’s decision of the new definition of Canadian program. In late March 2026, the FCA dismissed separate appeals from MPA-Canada (financial disclosure requirements) and CMPA (the new minimum copyright threshold). In the case of the MPA-Canada dismissal, the FCA noted that there has not yet been an instance of a party designating any information confidential that has triggered the CRTC’s review process, while in the case of the CMPA dismissal, the FCA noted that the appeal was premature given that the CRTC has not published its regulations yet.
Ontario Creates continues to monitor ongoing developments in artificial intelligence policy at the federal and global level. In March 2026, Ontario Creates’ CEO, Karen Thorne-Stone, attended the National Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Culture, which convened leaders from the cultural, government, technology, academic and civil society sectors to develop a shared vision for the future of culture and AI. The federal government is expected to release a national AI strategy in the coming months.
OTHER NEWS & UPDATES
The Province released its most recent Budget, A Plan to Protect Ontario, on March 26, 2026. The Budget included a commitment to enact new consumer protection measures that would make it illegal for tickets to concerts, cultural events, sports games, theatre performances and other live events held in Ontario to be resold for more than their original cost, plus additional permitted fees and charges for resale. The Budget also included a minor technical change to the Ontario Computer Animation and Special Effects Tax Credit (OCASE).
2026 RESEARCH SHOWCASE
On January 21st Ontario Creates hosted a research showcase. The event featured information about the Business Intelligence Program, Industry Profiles, Business Intelligence Bulletin, Open Data and the new Ontario CIERA™ dataset that will launch in Spring 2026.
A panel moderated by Lisa Fiorilli (Ontario Creates), and featuring panelists Martín Añón (Speaking Non-English), Miriam Kramer (OCAD University), Neeky Dalir (Ontario Chamber of Commerce) and Natassia Morris (Black Screen Office) discussed how to translate research findings into actionable change.
The event also included Research Blasts – sneak previews of in-progress or completed Business Intelligence Program-funded research projects – by Disability Screen Office, Association of Canadian Publishers, Game Arts International Network, Canadian Independent Screen Fund for BPOC Creators, and Music Publishers Canada.
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Ontario Creates
175 Bloor Street East, South Tower, Suite 501,
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3R8
Phone: 416.314.6858 Fax: 416.314.6876
