Friends of Canadian Media Welcomes Federal Budget Investments in CBC/Radio-Canada and Canadian Journalism, but More Work Remains.
Federal Budget 2026 represents an important step toward strengthening Canadian media, but long-term sustainability and cultural sovereignty require further action.
TORONTO, November 6, 2026 – Raj Shoan, Executive Director for Friends of Canadian Media, made the following statement:
“Friends of Canadian Media is pleased to see this government answer our call – one echoed by millions of Canadians – to invest substantially in CBC/Radio-Canada, a fundamental cornerstone of Canada’s democratic and cultural infrastructure. The $300 million commitment outlined in this budget provides our national public broadcaster with some stability as the government works to pass promised stable statutory funding and addresses the need to preserve Canadians’ access to trusted local journalism in their communities.
Friends also welcomes the government’s renewed commitment to supporting Canadian journalism, including $134 million over four years for the Local Journalism Initiative and the extension of the Canadian Journalism Labour Tax Credit to qualifying audio and audiovisual news organizations. These measures recognize the essential role that independent, professional journalism plays in keeping Canadians informed, strengthening our communities and holding powerful institutions accountable.
But the work isn’t done.
We must do more to ensure that CBC/Radio-Canada is equipped to deliver for Canadians in a rapidly changing media environment. Friends of Canadian Media looks forward to engaging directly with Canadians across the country in the next year to hear their perspectives on what a world-class national public broadcaster looks like in 2027 and beyond. The objective should not simply be to preserve the public broadcaster we have today, but to ensure that CBC/Radio-Canada has the mandate, resources, and independence necessary to serve Canadians for generations to come.
Important work also remains on the implementation of the Online Streaming Act. We also continue to await the government’s promised policy direction, which will be critical to ensuring that Canada’s broadcasting framework delivers meaningful support for Canadian cultural production and holds global streaming platforms accountable. These reforms are essential to ensuring that the public investments announced in this budget translate into lasting improvements in the health and sustainability of Canada’s media ecosystem. Friends thanks the federal government for recognizing the importance of these investments and looks forward to working constructively with policymakers, industry stakeholders, and Canadians to build on this progress. The government’s commitment is welcome. Now we must finish the job.”
– 30 –
For more information, please contact:
Friends of Canadian Media is a non-partisan citizens’ movement that stands up for Canadian voices in Canadian media – from public broadcasting to news, entertainment, culture, and online civil discourse, we work to protect and defend Canada’s rich cultural sovereignty and the healthy democracy it sustains. We are a not-for-profit organization that receives no government funding or donations from political parties or CRTC-regulated entities.