Canada’s screen industry is set to benefit from a significant financial boost following the Canada Media Fund’s (CMF) announcement of a CAD \$338 million program budget for 2025–2026. This investment comes at a pivotal time as Canada implements new policies aimed at rebalancing its cultural ecosystem amid the growing dominance of foreign streaming platforms.
The CMF's updated program structure and funding strategy have already generated substantial engagement from the creative sector. Just days after applications opened, the CMF received more than 1,100 applications across all programs—a strong signal of demand and a reflection of the industry’s readiness to capitalize on expanded support. “The high volume of applications so early in the cycle underscores the importance of this funding,” said Valerie Creighton, President and CEO of the CMF. “It shows how urgently producers are seeking to tell Canadian stories that resonate locally and globally.”
The CAD \$338 million will be allocated across the CMF’s Convergent and Experimental streams. The Convergent Stream, which supports content that is accessible on multiple platforms, continues to serve as the backbone for Canadian television and digital media production. The Experimental Stream funds cutting-edge interactive and digital work, including video games, virtual and augmented reality, and new forms of immersive storytelling.
The CMF is also ramping up its commitment to equity and inclusion. Programs targeting Indigenous, racialized, and equity-seeking creators are being expanded, building on past efforts to ensure the system reflects the full diversity of Canada’s population. “Equity and accessibility aren’t side projects—they’re core to our funding strategy,” said Gilles Couturier, COO of the CMF. “We’ve streamlined application processes, removed barriers, and made it easier for underrepresented voices to access the resources they need.”
This funding model also dovetails with regulatory shifts stemming from the Online Streaming Act, which will require international digital platforms to contribute financially to Canadian content. While the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) continues consultations on how those contributions will be structured, the CMF's 2025–2026 budget provides critical continuity and reassurance for the domestic industry.
The federal government has affirmed its support for these efforts. “We’re proud to support the Canada Media Fund and the incredible work it enables,” said Minister of Canadian Heritage Pascale St-Onge. “Our creators deserve the resources to tell Canadian stories in all their diversity, and our audiences deserve to see themselves reflected in the content they watch.”
With over 1,100 applications already in progress and a funding envelope designed to sustain both established creators and emerging talent, the CMF's 2025–2026 program budget represents a strategic investment in Canada’s cultural, economic, and technological future. In a global content landscape shaped by consolidation and digital acceleration, this public support serves as both a stabilizer and a launchpad for Canadian storytelling.