The next federal election will be held on April 28, 2025. As artists, making our voices heard this election is essential.
A united call for support for the arts and culture sector ensures all parties hear that we matter. When we’re informed about where parties stand and vote for policies that improve our sector, we have an impact.
Read the party platforms, talk to your local candidates, and most importantly, VOTE!
Voter information resources are available from Elections Canada:
Important Dates
April 16, 2025 @ 6 pm ET - Federal Leaders Debate (French Language)
April 17, 2025 @ 7 pm ET - Federal Leaders Debate (English Language)
April 18-21, 2025 - Advance Polling
April 22, 2025 - Deadline to register to vote by mail
April 28, 2025 - Election Day
5 things you can do:
- Read up! - Familiarize with key election issues and learn where political parties stand on the issues that matter to you - we'll update this page with more information on party support of arts issues as it becomes available.
- Talk it out! - Everyday interactions, from family get-togethers to dinner with friends, provide moments when you can share your point of view, hear another perspective, and talk through the issues that matter to you and your community.
- Get involved! - Join a local candidate's campaign and go door-to-door or help out on the phones with polling and fundraising. Candidates are forever grateful for the support of constituents through volunteerism. Door-to-door is a vital part of every candidate's work. It's also a great way to get to know your community, meet new people, be active and have fun!
- Help get out the vote! - Encourage friends, family, co-workers and acquaintances to make sure they know where and when to vote... and to actually show up and vote. People power fuels democracy.
- Attend an all candidates meeting! - Ask a question if so inclined. Questions about arts and culture may be appropriate, or identify as an Artist or Arts Worker and ask a question about something else: quality of life, community safety, the environment or economy. A reminder that Artists contribute to our country in many ways is a powerful message.
Arts & Culture Positions by Political Party
Equity, as part of the Creative Industries Coalition, asked the major political parties to to share their position on Canadian arts & culture and, if elected, the level of support each is willing to provide to our industry by answering the following questions:
- Is supporting the arts & culture sector a priority for your party? If so, what actions will your party be taking to demonstrate that support?
- What does your party see as the value of Canada’s live performance sector, especially given the recent assaults on Canada’s economy and identity?
- A recent report prepared by Nordicity illustrates the benefits of a notional Federal Tax Credit Model for Live Performing Arts in creating jobs, developing the sector, and expanding tourism. What is your party’s position on implementing such a proposal?
Click here to read the full letter.
We'll update this page with more information as we receive responses.
Select a party below to see where each stands on the issues facing our industry:
Click to view the Liberal Party platform, released on April 19.
Protecting Canadian Voices plank
- "...Support Canadian artists and creators by increasing funding to agencies such as the Canada Council for the Arts, Telefilm, the Canada Media Fund, and the National Film Board, recognizing the economic importance of Canada’s creative industries and creators. The more of our perspectives that are brought to life, the better we understand Canada, and the more we can show the world what makes Canada strong."
Click to view the Green Party platform, released on April 17.
Arts, Culture & Heritage plank (page 111)
- "...Enhance funding for Canada’s arts and cultural sectors, including significant increases for the Canada Council for the Arts, Telefilm Canada, orchestras, and performing arts organizations nationwide."
- "...Establish stable, multi-year base funding for community arts programs across Canada, ensuring long-term sustainability and access to cultural activities at the community level."
- "...Implement income averaging for artists and cultural workers to stabilize their financial circumstances, accommodating the income fluctuations typical within the creative sector."
- "...Establish dedicated federal funding to support touring artists and cultural events, particularly in rural and underserved communities, ensuring equitable access to arts and cultural experiences across Canada."
- "...Provide dedicated federal funding to support the creation, conservation, and public accessibility of Indigenous art and cultural expressions."
Click to view the Bloc Québécois platform, released on March 29.
Arts & Culture plank
- "...Enhance funding programs such as the Canada Council for the Arts or Telefilm Canada while ensuring that funds are better directed towards local culture and that French-language content receives 40% of the funding."
- "...Facilitate access to employment insurance for seasonal workers, in collaboration with the Union des artistes and the entire community."
Additional Election Resources
Canadian Arts Coalition Federal Election resources
Additional information about the importance of the arts vote, and other resources including printable window signs are available from the Canadian Arts Coalition. Check out their 1% Ask, a call for the Government of Canada to permanently allocate at least 1% of its overall spending towards arts, culture, and heritage, including a $140 million increase in funding for the Canada Council of the Arts.
Canadian Association for the Performing Arts
CAPACOA's I Vote Arts initiative provides an overview of the state of funding for arts and culture programs across the country. As more information becomes available, they'll provide insight into the potential incoming government's plan to invest in the arts.
CBC Party Platform Comparison
CBC Poll Tracker
338 Canada.com (Election statistics and projections)