As the election campaign develops, the arts funding issue has become more and more a part of the debate.  We continue to monitor the news and opinion pieces emerging from across the country, and have accumulated them in the accompanying archive.

CIMA’s submission to the Government of Canada through the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade regarding digital policy.

Record Labels Urge Passage of Robust Digital Copyright Protection
TORONTO, June 3, 2010 - The Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) and Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) today welcomed the introduction of copyright reform legislation in Parliament.
The organizations, which together represent Canadian independent and major music companies of all sizes, thanked the government for taking this important step to modernizing Canada's Copyright Act.
"We are pleased that the government not only has recognized the need for copyright reform, but is now taking action," said Duncan McKie, President and CEO, CIMA. "Canada's independent record labels, and the artists they represent, need better protection from online piracy to build a successful digital music market."
"We thank the government for taking this step to protect the right of artists and other rights holders to earn a living from their work," said Graham Henderson, President, CRIA. "We are witnessing the emergence of thriving, legitimate online markets in other countries that have implemented robust copyright rules. With the right rules here, there is no reason Canada could not follow the same path."

The Department of Canadian Heritage just put on-line all the documentation essential to submit an application for financial assistance under the Music Entrepreneur Component (MEC) - Aid to Canadian Sound Recording Firms of the Canada Music Fund (CMF). The deadline to submit an application is December 17, 2009. For more information and to access the guide and application forms, please visit our web site at www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/fmusc-cmusf/VEM-MEC/index-eng.cfm or contact us at 819-934-3208 (direct access to the program) or 1-866-811-0055 (toll-free).

Sept.13, 2009 - Part of the Government of Canada's ongoing national consultation on copyright.

Policy proceeding on a group-based approach to the licensing of television services and on certain issues relating to conventional television.
The Commission will hold a public hearing to consider a group-based approach to the licensing of conventional television and discretionary services and certain policy issues relating to conventional television. The Commission has invited written comments and proposals, along with rationale and supporting evidence, on the issues raised in this notice, which include:
- the modalities and conditions for group-based licensing that would provide the necessary criteria to consider upcoming applications for group-based seven-year licence renewals;
- revenue support for conventional broadcasters; and
- possible digital transition models.

Toronto, August 6th, 2009 – After over 3 decades of conducting business as CIRPA, the membership of the Canadian Independent Record Production Association (CIRPA) today officially approved a change of name to the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA). “This reflects the reality of the music business today,” said Bernie Finkelstein, CIRPA Chairman, “We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who contributed to the organization and its goals over the past 30 plus years. Certainly without the efforts of those individuals the independent music community in Canada would not have made the progress it has in Canada, not to mention the worldwide admiration earned for what has been accomplished in Canada.” As the CIRPA membership has changed the way they conduct business, adopting diverse models to commercialize music, so too has CIRPA changed its services to support them. The current emphasis on developing business and trade opportunities both within Canada and abroad is a leading theme of the new organization. “We will continue to develop services that assist our members to build their businesses in whatever way we can,” added Duncan McKie, President and CEO, “...but we will still be aware of our roots and continue to represent the interests of companies who make and distribute sound recordings. We have witnessed the beginning of the digital age and the development of a viable commercial model for Canadian music recordings is our paramount concern.” The corporate changeover will take about a month, at which time the AGM in late September will approve it and any new by-laws which will reflect a broader mandate for CIMA.

The Art of Managing Your Career is a resource guide, from the Cultural human Resources Council, for self-employed artists and cultural workers in live performing arts; writing and publishing; visual arts and craft; film, television and broadcasting; digital media; music and sound recording, and heritage.

The Canadian Music Week 2009 Global Forum was a workshop attended by some of the world’s leading music industry thinkers, who gathered for a dynamic morning of discussion to explore issues surrounding the role of ISPs, the legalities of music downloading, international copyright reform and the role of consumers, and the business of producing, distributing and listening to music. This is the third consecutive year for the Global Forum event, and was – in the growing tradition of this event - compelling and certainly not short on controversy. The theme for the 2009 Global Forum was "Internet Governance: Who is responsible for what and who should pay for what?"

CIRPA comments on the Licence Renewals for Private Conventional Television Stations. CIRPA is opposed to any lowering of Canadian content levels for Canadian Television Licensees and sees no reason why this should be considered at this hearing, or indeed at future hearings. CIRPA is of the opinion that the whole issue of broadcaster finances is much more involved and complex than just that of declining advertising revenues in the short term. Also, as noted above, the usage of recorded music in TV and its allied industries continues to grow and CIRPA feels strongly that a substantial component of such usage in Canadian broadcaster produced or commissioned productions should consist of Canadian material.

These are CIRPA's final comments regarding Notice of Public Hearing 2008-11 involving issues pertaining to Canadian broadcasting in new media. The comments includes the definition for New Media Content Undertaking, New Media Broadcasting Distribution Undertaking, and Mobile Broadcasting Distribution Undertaking.

Application by Ultimate Indie Productions Inc. for a broadcasting licence to operate a national, English-language Category 2 specialty television programming undertaking to be known as CHEAR! (Canadian Homebred Emerging ARtists).

On Wednesday, February 18th CIRPA was represented at the CRTC New Media Hearings in Gatineau by our President and CEO, Duncan McKie, and Chair Bernie Finkelstein. Click on the link below to read CIRPA's presentation. Also check out the related link below the presentation to gain access to the transcripts from that days Hearings. CIRPA's presentation and Q&A begins about half way down in paragraph 1942.

CIRPA has intervened with the CRTC supporting radio application 2008-14 made by OBCI, a station proposing a 40% Cancon and 50% new music quota in the AAA format. The station will be located in Orillia and will be owned by a group lead by Debra McLaughlin, a long time radio executive, consultant and researcher, who has worked with many of Canada's independently owned radio stations over the past 20 years. We are pleased to see that these new licenses are aware of the issues facing the music industry and are willing to make commitments to the Commission to play Canadian acts from independent labels.

The Hon. Aileen Carroll, Minister of Culture, announced the investment of $3.3 million from Ontario’s Entertainment and Creative Cluster Partnerships Fund in 16 innovative initiatives. The recipients and their projects were announced at a news conference held on November 26, 2008 at the Ontario Trade & Investment Centre.

Ottawa. The Copyright Board of Canada issued today a decision on private copying levies for the years 2008 and 2009. The decision maintains the rate for audiocassettes at 24¢, and increases the rate for all CDs to 29¢. Since 2001, the certified rate for CDs had been 21¢.

OMDC is pleased to announce the release of an important study, entitled A Strategic Study for the Music Industry in Ontario. The study was authored by Nordicity Group Ltd., in association with Cuto and FRUKT, with funding from OMDC on behalf of its Music Industry Advisory Committee. The study and a letter from Karen Thorne-Stone, President and CEO of OMDC and the Study Steering Committee are included in the link below. This material is available in French at OMDC's website www.omdc.on.ca. For more information regarding this study, please contact the OMDC offices at (416) 314-6858.

Read CIRPA's comments on CRTC Public Notice 2008-44. This is a call for comments on the scope of a future proceeding on Canadian Broadcasting in new media.

CIRPA would like to register its concern regarding the failure of this licensee as noted in the Public Notice to fulfill its obligations with regard to its financial CTD obligations.

Re: Public Notice 2008-47 - Application 20080160 - North Bay Superior Broadcasting - CFNO FM + CFNO FM 1-8. CIRPA register's our concern regarding the failure of this licensee as noted in the Public Notice to fulfill its obligations with regard to its financial CTD obligations.

The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kat Salvador as the new Executive Director of the Association.

At its Annual General Meeting on Friday June 20 in Ottawa, CHRC officially elected its 2008/2009 Board of Directors which includes respresentatives of employer and worker organizations in eight sub sectors and cultural industries. CHRC also re-appointed Barbara Nepinak as a Director to speak on behalf of aboriginal artists and cultural workers. In particular, CHRC is pleased and proud to welcome to its ranks as new Board members Francis Baillet, Doug Broadfoot, Kathleen de Long, Kevin Hanson, Duncan McKie, Peter Murdoch, Brady Schmidt, Susanne Vaas and Lucy White.

The following article contains further comments on CRTC Public Notice 2008-16 and the issue of playing and monitoring the airplay of emerging Canadian Artists on Commercial Radio in Canada.

A broad coalition of Canadian creator and music industry organizations today applauded the introduction of copyright reform legislation by the federal government. The eight groups, which represent approximately 21,000 professional performers and 15,000 musicians in Canada, Canadian artist managers, music publishers, music retailers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers of musical instruments, and record labels of all sizes, jointly thanked the government for recognizing the need for copyright reforms.

CIRPA comments on the ongoing CRTC Review of Radio issue of the definition of emerging Canadian artists on commercial radio. In these comments, we suggest solutions to working with the broadcasters to get reasonable airplay for new and emerging artists. CIRPA is very encouraged that the Commission has called for comments and looks forward to being very involved in the process as it evolves.

In Jenn FM, a station designed for Edmonton, Alberta, they are interested in making increased contributions to airplay, contributions to Content Development and offering higher commitments to exposure of New and Emerging artists.

CIRPA has several points that it would like to raise concerning this Application but suggests the Commission should delay consideration of this application until the renewal of their license due in 2009.

The Broadcast of Hits on Radio - In our view FM can cannibalize the AM audience by programming as “old” as possible, yet remaining within the rules.

Today's challenging environment offers opportunities for smaller companies who can act and react quickly to changing trends. This report was created to provide a base point for discussion, research, strategies and policies to support Canada's independent music industry.

This is the press release and decision of the Copyright Board in the 1A Re-determination. The Board maintained the 40% increase that was achieved in 2005. Radio stations have one year within which to repay the higher royalty rate owed for previous years.

Our comments on the public disclosure of aggregate financial data for large ownership groups of over-the-air television and radio broadcasters.

Our comments on the review of the regulatory frameworks for broadcasting distribution undertakings and discretionary programming services.

Our comments on the above public hearing. Issues include emerging artists, Cancon levels and placement of Cancon during the broadcast day.

NPH 2007-7 Astral Media Radio Inc. Application # 2007-0769-8

Public Hearing CRTC 2007 – 5 Diversity of Voices Proceeding

Broadcasting Public Notice 2007-63 Application 2007-0254-9 - License Renewal; CIBK-FM

CIRPA submitted written comments in respect of CTVgm’s Application and appeared as an intervener at the public hearing to consider CTVgm’s Application in Gatineau, Quebec on Tuesday, May 1, 2007.

Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 2007-3

Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 2007-3 Item #21, Astral Media Radio Atlantic Inc., 2007-0260-7, CJCJ-FM Item #22, Astral Media Radio Atlantic Inc., 2007-0262-2, CKTY-FM Re: Canadian Content Development and Emerging Artists

CIRPA's latest CRTC filing, Broadcasting NPH 2007-2, with Applications from Barry Maxwell Martin OBCI, Newcap Inc., Andrew Newman OCBI, HFX Broadcasting Inc, Blackburn Radio Inc, Ottawa Media Inc, Norwesto Communications Ltd.

Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 2007-1