As we close out 2025, we’re proud to reflect on a milestone year for CIMA and Canada’s independent music community. This year marked CIMA’s 50th anniversary, celebrating five decades of advocacy, industry development and global impact for Canadian-owned music companies and the artists they support. CIMA continues to be a catalyst for growth at home and on the world stage. In 2025, CIMA continued to champion the sector through policy advocacy with pre-budget submissions to the federal, provincial governments on investment in the Canadian-owned music sector, copyright, the unlawful use of copyrighted music in the training of AI large language models, as well as multiple submissions to and appearances before the CRTC in relations to the requirements of the large foreign owned tech platforms make investments in the sector as a result of Bill C-11. We also led a successful public advocacy campaign which led to the federal Liberal government’s decision to extend the $16 million top up to the Canada Music Fund (the federal fund that funds FACTOR and Musicaction) for a further 3 years. We also had a phenomenal year presenting 8 international showcasing events in 10 cities in 6 countries including missions at UK Americana Music week, Folk Alliance, Great Escape, A2IM Indie Week, AMERICANAFEST, Reeperbahn, MaMa Music & Convention and ADE. We showcased 90 artists/bands and facilitated business opportunities for 125 music companies. This year also launched a new Label Summit series in June, bringing together Canadian independent labels for the first peer-driven event of its kind. We followed that up with a second one in November and expanded it to include international label participation.  Stay tuned for more of that in the future! And lastly, for the third consecutive year, over 200 delegates gathered at Make It Music to tackle the big issues faced by Canadian-owned music companies and reinforce the power of connection and collaboration. We welcomed new Board of Directors which included new member Audrey Sylvestre of Cult Nation and a new Chair of the Board, Shauna de Cartier replacing outgoing and longtime Chair Tim Potocic whose term had reach its end. Luckily Tim is staying on as a member of the Board. The Board also said goodbye to awesome members Gourmet Délice from Bonsound and Daniel Turcotte from Monstercat. CIMA launched a new membership tier for Individual Artists and Industry Workers to expand resources to our broader community, and delivered a wide range of professional development programs to support our members at every stage of their businesses. 2025 also saw us grow our roster of key partnerships which now include believe, National Arts Centre, and Tixr and are excited for the activity we’ll be launching together in the new year. And a big thank you to our amazing current partners FACTOR, the Government of Canada , Ontario Creates, Canada's private radio broadcasters, as well as SOCAN and CMRRA. As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited to roll out new programs and initiatives as we continue to grow our offerings and partnerships all towards the goal of supporting excellent, well-resourced and competitive Canadian-owned music companies able to achieve success for their artists within a resilient, inclusive and globally connected Canadian music ecosystem. None of this would be possible without the support of our valued membership! Thank you for being part of the CIMA community and wishing you all a wonderful holiday season. Here’s to continuing the journey together into the next 50 years! Please note: The CIMA offices will be closed from Friday, December 19 at 5:00PM until Monday, January 5.