FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CIMA Congratulates Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault Urgent Call to Prioritize Canadian-Owned Culture, IP, and Sovereignty

[Toronto, ON — May 13, 2025] - The Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) congratulates the Honourable Steven Guilbeault on his appointment as Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages. Minister Guilbeault takes on this portfolio at a critical moment for Canada’s cultural sector. As venture capital, global tech platforms, and multinational entertainment corporations expand their dominance and market share, the future of Canadian-owned culture — and the intellectual property that drives it — is at risk without renewed, dynamic and stable investment in the sector. Recent events, including:

• TikTok’s withdrawal from global licensing negotiations with Merlin, a key advocate for independent music;
• Universal Music Group’s acquisition of Downtown Music’s assets;
• legal challenges launched by global tech giants against the Canadian government’s Broadcasting Act reforms;

— all underscore the growing concentration of global corporate power — and the urgent need for Canada to act by investing in its cultural and economic sovereignty. “Canadian-owned music companies are not just players in our cultural economy — they are part of its foundation,” says Andrew Cash, President and CEO of CIMA. “They create intellectual property, generate jobs, tell Canadian stories, and fuel long-term economic growth. Without Canadian-owned companies, our culture risks being outsourced, diluted, and devalued.” CIMA urges Minister Guilbeault to move swiftly on the following priorities:

• Prioritize Canadian ownership in cultural policy and investment frameworks;
• Strengthen competition, trade, and copyright policies to protect existing and spur new investments in Canadian-owned IP;
• Champion Canadian-owned businesses in the cultural sector in international markets;
• Defend Canada’s right to regulate its cultural industries in the face of multinational corporate opposition.

CIMA looks forward to working with Minister Guilbeault to ensure that Canadian culture remains Canadian-owned, Canadian-created, and globally competitive.

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About CIMA: Founded in 1975 CIMA is the not-for-profit national trade association representing over 650 Canadian-owned music companies connected to over 6,000 artists and music industry workers in every province and territory in Canada. CIMA's membership ranges from individual artists and solopreneurs to Canadian-owned global music companies. Its membership also includes music publishers, managers, agents, songwriters, as well as other industry associations, provincial MIA’s and industry adjacent service companies including in digital marketing, public relations and content creation. Media Contact For media inquiries, interviews, or additional information, please contact: Jenia Schukov Communications & Export Programming Officer P: 416-998-3705 E: jenia@cimamusic.ca