This investment represents an important step toward strengthening Canada’s audiovisual sector, supporting Canadian creators and protecting our cultural sovereignty.

The government has also allocated $44 million to various certified independent production funds, including the Rocket Fund Canada (formerly Shaw Rocket Fund). While YMA welcomes this investment, it represents only a small portion of the funding needed to adequately support Canada’s children’s and youth media industry. We can only hope this investment will be further strengthened through additional funding and targeted measures from other certified independent funds to support the creation and production of high-quality Canadian content for children and youth.

While the government has identified children’s and youth programming as a priority for the Canada Media Fund, there is no guaranteed allocation to ensure that young audiences receive the investment and attention they deserve.

Children and youth must be an integral part of Canada’s cultural sovereignty. They need access to high-quality Canadian stories that reflect their experiences, languages, identities and communities.

YMA therefore calls on the federal government and its funding partners to ensure that children’s and youth content receives meaningful, measurable and sustained support through the implementation of this investment.

Investing in Canadian stories for young audiences is an investment in Canada’s future.