Canada Rising

OUR VISION

1. To hunt for talent in Canada and give them leverage to reach a large audience on the global stage

2. To promote Canadian artist on global stage and make them as competitive as their Americans counterparts

3. To support upcoming Canadian artist with top notch musical videos and promote their songs globally

4. To host music and humanitarian awards

5. To act as bridge between talents and the right agency

6. To link artist with competent record labels

7. To promote Canada's fashion industry

8.To promote made in Canada's products both within Canada and globally

9. To promote buy made in Canada's goods to save our economy

10. To give expert business advices to Canada's small enterprises who can't afford a consultancy services free of charge

OVERVIEW

In 2023, the global entertainment & media (E&M) industry generated

approximately US $2.8 trillion, and is expected to grow to roughly US

$3.4 trillion by 2028 .

North America represented about 34% of that global market in 2023,

with a total of roughly US $34.3 billion in entertainment market

revenue (movies & video, music, etc.) .

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Canada

In 2023, Canada’s entertainment market was valued at approximately USD

4.42 billion .

The industry is projected to grow at a 9.5% CAGR, reaching USD 8.33

billion by 2030 .

Canada also stands out within North America with one of the highest

projected growth rates through 2030 in the region

___________________________

United States

The United States remains the largest entertainment market globally,

with an estimated market size of USD 6.65 billion in 2021 (projected

to USD 9.06 billion by 2025) within the North American entertainment

segment .

The U.S. also dominates the global gaming industry, with revenues

surpassing US $67 billion in 2024

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United Kingdom (Europe)

The UK E&M industry contributes around £125 billion (~USD 150 billion)

annually to its national economy, employing ~2.3 million people .

IMARC Group estimates the broader UK entertainment and media market

was USD 128 billion in 2024, with expectations to reach USD 194.8

billion by 2033 at a CAGR of ~4.8% .

According to Grand View Research, the “movie and entertainment” sector

specifically generated USD 5.16 billion in 2023 and is forecast to

grow to USD 10.03 billion by 2030 .

PwC predicts UK E&M revenues will break £100 billion (~USD 117bn) in

2024 and hit £121 billion (~USD 140bn) by 2028

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Summary Comparison

Country / RegionEstimated Revenue (2023–24)Projected Revenue (2030)CAGR (%)

USA~$6.6 bn (North America E&M segment projection)~$9.1 bn by 2025~7.6%

Canada~$4.4 bn~$8.3 bn~9.5%

UK (Europe)~£125 bn (~USD 150 bn) national creative industries£121 bn

(~USD 140 bn) by 2028~4–6%

~USD 5.16 bn (movie & entertainment segment)~USD 10.0 bn by 2030~10%

Europe total~USD 5.3 bn regional industry~USD 7.23 bn by 2025~7.7%

Note: UK and US figures include broader creative and media

industries—film, TV, music, advertising, digital, etc.—while Canada’s

and Nigeria’s numbers are specifically from entertainment and

movie/music segments.

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Interpretation & Context

United States remains the global powerhouse in entertainment, with

market size and revenue far exceeding others—especially in gaming and

film.

The United Kingdom, within Europe, maintains a significantly larger

industry than Canada in absolute terms, though Canada shows faster

projected growth.

Canada’s entertainment industry is modest in scale (~USD 4.4 bn) but

growing rapidly (CAGR ~9.5%) toward USD 8.3 bn by 2030. However, its

size remains dwarfed by both the UK and the U.S.

Nigeria, while locally impactful—especially Nollywood—is much smaller

in monetary size (hundreds of millions USD). Growth is steady but

still emerging on a global scale.

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Conclusion

While Canada’s entertainment industry is relatively small compared to

the massive U.S. market and even the more robust UK industry, it's on

a notable growth trajectory. It occupies a niche North American share

and shows potential for expansion. Meanwhile, Nigeria is building

momentum regionally but remains at an earlier stage of scale and

infrastructure development.

If you'd like breakdowns by sub-sectors like music only, film only, or

attention on digital vs. live events, I’d be happy to dive deeper!

Canada’s Emerging Artists: A Tough Path Ahead

1. Heavy Reliance on Exports & Limited Domestic Market

Export necessity: 59% of independent Canadian music companies say

accessing global markets is vital to survival, but it costs over 100 %

more to tour abroad than at home. For breakout status, campaigns can

cost 21× more for Canadian companies than domestic ones (Manitoba

Music, cimamusic.ca).

Tiny home audience: Canada’s population (~38 million) pales beside the

U.S. (~330 million), shrinking domestic reach and reducing advertising

leverage .

2. Border Barriers & Visa Hassles

High costs and delays: Work visas (P‑2) currently cost ~$325 USD, plus

union and processing fees; for a four‑member band that’s roughly CAD

2,800 before touring begins. Visa processing delays can stretch 6–8

months, making U.S. touring nearly impossible without expediting at

significant cost (VICE).

U.S. taxing withholding rules: Canadian acts face elevated withholding

tax—not reciprocated without proper trade reform—burdening cash flow

for touring and representation (Manitoba Music).

3. Limited Financial Support & Structural Gaps

Grant-dependent system: Canada provides direct government grants at

all stages (artist development, tours), unlike the U.S. which depends

more on nonprofits or private foundations more suited to

non-commercial arts (Xposure Music).

But demand outpaces supply: Average grant approval sits at ~59%, and

with over 35,000 applications, many artists are left unfunded. Live

shows now generate ~75% of artist income, while recorded revenue has

dropped through the floor (Western Standard).

4. Streaming Economics: Visibility ≠ Income

Low per-stream payouts: Even with a million annual streams, royalties

range from USD $3,300–11,750, translating to only a few hundred

dollars per month (Government of Canada). The vast majority of

Canadian creators earn far less than the million‑stream threshold.

Disconnect between streaming and touring: Bands like Swimming may

appear on global playlists but struggle to convert listens into real

earnings. Others like Taylor‑Rae leveraged Amazon Music support to

turn streaming into bookings and tours—but such cases are rare and

selective (MobileSyrup).

5. Infrastructure & Media Support Lacking

Sparse media outlets for indie: Canadian urban and underground artists

frequently cite a lack of mainstream media infrastructure compared to

U.S. markets. Without strong local press ecosystems, artists struggle

to gain audience traction and industry access (Reddit).

Fragmented domestic networks: Limited rehearsal spaces, closures of

small venues, and a small number of independent coverage platforms

restrict growth opportunities at home .

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U.S. Emerging Artists: A Different Kind of Challenge

1. Market Size & Competition

A vast domestic fan base offers opportunity—but it also means fierce

competition. Without solid label backing or high-end marketing,

breaking through takes major resources and strategic positioning .

2. Less Public Funding, More Market Reliance

U.S. artists typically lack access to government grants for touring or

production. Support is channeled through foundations, nonprofits, or

label advances—often restricted and hard to qualify for .

3. Touring Conditions and Mental Health Pressures

U.S. touring has become financially risky for emerging artists due to

dynamic pricing, volatile ticket sales, burnout, and rising

costs—often under-supported by mental‑health resources (Pitchfork).

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Comparative Overview

Area Canada – Emerging Artists U.S. – Emerging Artists

Market Size Small domestic market; dependency on export to survive

Large domestic market; high competition

Touring Abroad Costly visa/union fees; policy barriers for U.S. tours

Easier domestic touring, fewer international barriers

Funding Public grants available, but limited supply Rely heavily on

private sponsorships or labels

Streaming Income Exposure possible, but low pay per-stream Similar

economics; must rely on tours/merch/sync

Media & Infrastructure Weak indie media support and local

infrastructure Robust media ecosystems, but congested marketplace

Mental Health Grants don’t cover touring stress or sustainability

Increasing awareness; labels or nonprofits sometimes offer wellness

support

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Conclusion

Emerging Canadian music artists face a federalized support system that

helps—but often cannot overcome structural constraints like market

size, high touring costs, and infrastructure gaps. While Canadian

grants and export funds provide essential support, they don’t

eliminate high visa hurdles and narrow domestic exposure.

In contrast, U.S. artists operate in a massive but congested

ecosystem. They lack public grant access but can tour widely

nationally. The sheer scale means greater risk and competition—but

also more potential fans if breakthrough happens.

For Canadian artists, even national pride does not guarantee success;

they must often travel internationally early—adding cost, delay, and

complexity. Many voices emphasize that Canada needs stronger

infrastructure, media support, and border agreements to level the

playing field and sustain homegrown talent without forcing them south

prematurely (cimamusic.ca, Manitoba Music, Xposure Music, Reddit,

Pitchfork).

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Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive into specific genres or policy

recommendations.

AP News

Wall Street Journal

Echoes Beyond the Maple"

Mila glared at the irregular shape of her modest studio’s financial

projections—it was 2025, yet the numbers felt stagnant. She’d built

her career in indie production, championing underrepresented voices.

But now, the map of Canada’s entertainment industry looked more like a

maze, full of dead ends.

1. Funding Fade and Market Retreat

Production volume in Canada plunged nearly 18.5% from April 2023 to

March 2024—from $11.75 billion to $9.58 billion. Canadian TV

production also shed 12.7%, while foreign-location service volume

dropped over 26% (playbackonline.ca, playbackonline.ca).

Broadcaster commissions are shrinking, budgets tightening, and

confidence is waning—only around 12.5% of producers now feel

opportunities are better than ever, down from 20% in 2023

(playbackonline.ca).

Mila remembered dreaming by her CRT TV as a kid—but the reality now

was that Canadian films earn less than 1% of domestic box‑office

share, overshadowed by Hollywood’s marketing muscle and high budgets

(entcounsel.com).

2. The Streaming Conflict

Bill C‑11 (the Online Streaming Act), enacted in April 2023, mandates

foreign streamers like Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, Amazon to contribute

5% of Canadian revenues (~C$200 million annually) toward Canadian,

francophone, Indigenous and local news content (Reuters).

This law was meant to boost local culture—but streaming giants are

pushing back. They're calling it a "hidden tax" and challenging the

mandate in Federal Court of Appeal as unjustified exposure for

already‑investing companies (The Times of India).

In response, Netflix withdrew sponsorship from key training and

development programs—impacting Indigenous-focused initiatives like

imagineNATIVE and festivals like Hot Docs, L’inis, Pacific

Screenwriting Program, and more (playbackonline.ca). For someone like

Mila, that meant fewer development pipelines and higher barriers just

to get talent into the room.

3. Equity Stalled

Canada’s film sector lags significantly on gender equity: from

2010–2020, men held about 77% of key creative roles, with women in

just 15% of directing roles and 17% of writing positions. At the

current pace, equity is not expected until roughly 2215

(playbackonline.ca). Even federally funded bodies—like Telefilm—only

report women in 41% of productions and 43% of directed works .

Only about 7% of production companies are owned partially or fully by

Black, Indigenous or people of colour; female-owned companies stand at

29%, and just 12.5% of producers feel opportunities are improving

(playbackonline.ca). Mila, a BIPOC producer, finds the odds feel

systemically skewed.

4. Disrupted Workflows and Revenue Streams

The Hollywood strikes in late 2023 (WGA and SAG‑AFTRA) caused filming

halts and pushed costs upward. BC’s industry saw hiring fall by more

than 80%, while service work production dropped sharply

(playbackonline.ca). Across Canada, total industry revenues dropped

9.5% in 2023 from 2021 levels—marking the first decline since 2013

(Statistics Canada).

Screenwriters, actors, and creators voice concerns that streaming-era

contracts offer fewer residuals; many continue to struggle financially

even as platforms profit (Reddit). Independent organizations like

those featured on Reddit report systemic underinvestment and shrinking

budgets (Reddit).

5. The Ecosystem’s Exposed Fragility

Mila watched headlines about other cracks—like Quebec’s Cinémas Guzzo

facing multi‑million debts and closures, threatening cinema access

(en.wikipedia.org), and Corus Entertainment announcing the shutdown of

multiple Disney-branded channels as of September 1, 2025, signaling

shrinking broadcast diversity and resources (en.wikipedia.org).

________________________________

Reflections

Mila closed her laptop after a long day. She’d lost a grant, struggled

to find a commissioner, and now felt the ecosystem that nurtured her

was unraveling. Yet somewhere beyond the data was potential: unruly

creators, AI-fueled workflows, leaner micro‑docs, and stories yearning

for light.

But if Canada wants its cultural future to thrive, vast structural

weaknesses must be addressed: equitable funding, inclusive leadership,

clear streaming regulation, and support for real voices—not token

inclusion. Otherwise, the maple leaves on the marquee may fade into

warped film reels, untold stories awaiting revival.

________________________________

Summary of Real‑World “Lapses”

Issue Real‑world Observation

Falling production volume Total down 18.5% in 2023‑24; Canadian TV and

service work take deep cuts (playbackonline.ca)

Regulatory tension Bill C‑11 streaming mandates; foreign services push back

Loss of training/development Netflix pulling funding due to regulatory

cost burdens

Equity gaps Slow progress on gender and racial equity—projected parity

centuries away

Labour and financial instability Writers' wages declining; union

disruption; broadcaster service shut‑downs

_______________________________

Canada’s entertainment industry is at a pivotal moment—caught between

preservation and innovation. Mila’s story embodies the struggle:

holding on to cultural identity, while navigating collapse and

reinvention. Only through targeted reform, broader equity, and

visionary support can the map of Canadian creativity be redrawn for

good.

The Times of India

Reuters

Improving Canada’s Music Ecosystem: Strategic Directions

1. Scale Funding and Streamer Contributions

Canada’s Online Streaming Act (formerly Bill C‑11) mandates that major

foreign streaming platforms allocate 5% of their Canadian

revenues—estimated at US $200 million per year—to cultural and music

funding. Around 2% is earmarked for grants to organizations such as

FACTOR and Musicaction, also directing resources to Indigenous and

community radio sectors (cimamusic.ca).

Recommendation: Ensure those funds are swiftly and transparently

distributed to grassroots development, touring supports, and export

programming, so independent artists receive tangible benefits—not just

institutional allocations.

2. Expand Artist Entrepreneurship & Business Training

A report from Music Canada and CONNECT highlights that many Canadian

creators lack entrepreneurial training and business acumen—key gaps

that hinder sustainable careers (Music Canada).

Recommendation: Scale up business-education programs

nationwide—ideally via MDC Music Canada, Canadian Musicians

Cooperative, and incubators like CMI—to provide boot camps, coaching,

and mentorship focused on marketing, distribution, and export

strategy.

3. Boost Live Performance Infrastructure

Live music drives artist income and exposure. The Canadian Live Music

Association (CLMA)’s “Setting the Stage” pilot offers micro‑grants

(C$2–3K) to support mentorship-linked performances at local venues

(Canadian Live Music Association).

Recommendation: Expand this into a national program: longer-running

showcases, cross-provincial rotations, support for festival slots, and

touring subsidies. A stronger live circuit would mirror U.S.

“road-to-fame” economies and help artists build organic followings

domestically.

4. Streamline Export Opportunities & Reduce Barriers

Canadian artists face higher costs for touring abroad, export

marketing, and dealing with visa complexities.

Recommendation: Develop targeted export grants (similar to those in

the EU or Australia), streamlined visa policies with the U.S., and

industry travel bursaries, so artists can perform internationally

earlier in their careers—reducing economic friction compared to U.S.

acts.

5. Prioritize Mental Health & Sustainable Work Models

Many Canadian musicians—especially independents—suffer from anxiety,

depression, and burnout due to financial pressure and tour instability

(Pitchfork). Some labels (e.g., Royal Mountain Records) offer modest

wellness stipends (~C$1,500 per album), but it's insufficient for

systemic solutions (Pitchfork).

Recommendation: Develop national mental health initiatives—funded

through label and grant partnerships—to offer counseling, sick-day

support, safer touring protocols, and peer support networks in urban

hubs.

6. Enhance Media Support & Promotional Platforms

Canadian artists, particularly in hip-hop and indie scenes, lack the

robust media ecosystem that U.S. cities like NYC or LA provide

(Reddit). Though there are strong local blogs and platforms, scale is

limited (Reddit).

Recommendation: Support the growth of independent music blogs and

regional editorial hubs through grants and capacity-building;

incentivize Canadian playlisting and editorial exposure on domestic

streaming platforms; and fund journalist fellowships and influencer

programs to spotlight local talent.

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Lessons from the U.S. Model

Market Size and Export Culture

U.S. labels and support systems are built for launching artists to

massive domestic and global hard markets. Canada should emulate this

via export-ready programming and branding strategies.

Private Investment and Nonprofit Networks

The U.S. benefits from a hybrid ecosystem of foundations, nonprofits,

and investor-led initiatives. Canada can foster more local

philanthropic and venture funding directed at artist development.

Performance & Touring Infrastructure

In the U.S., artists often build followings through regional tours and

festivals. Canada's geography makes both cost and scale a barrier.

Strengthening tour circuits coast-to-coast, and promoting Canadian

music tourism (via festivals like NXNE or Departure Conference) will

help close that gap (mdcmusic.ca, Wikipedia).

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Supporting Emerging Canadian Artists: Key Programs

Several impactful programs already exist, forming a strong foundation:

Canada Music Fund: Fed by government and streaming contributions, $32

million over 2024–26 supports artist and collective initiatives via

FACTOR and Musicaction (Government of Canada).

Radio Starmaker Fund: A private fund contributing nearly C$170 million

to emerging artists since 2001 (Wikipedia).

Incubators & Training Programs:

Canada Music Incubator, SOCAN Foundation mentoring, MDC Music Canada,

Canadian Musicians Cooperative Emerging Artist Program—all providing

training, coaching, grant navigation, and mentorship (mdcmusic.ca).

Canada Council for the Arts, provincial arts councils (like Ontario

Arts Council, CALQ), Banff Centre residencies, community incubators

like Artscape or Musicaction residencies (mdcmusic.ca).

CLMA’s “Setting the Stage”: Early-stage grants to venues and promoters

to support artist showcases (Canadian Live Music Association).

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Summary: A Holistic Strategy to Elevate Canadian Music

Focus Area Actionable Improvement

Funding & Streamers Efficient, transparent allocation of Bill C‑11

funds ➝ grants for independent artists and export-ready labels

Business Training & Entrepreneurship Scale artist incubators and

mentorship through MDC, CMI, Musicians Co-op

Live Music Ecosystem Expand micro‑grants, cross-city tour circuits,

national artist showcases

Export Support & Visa Reform Subsidized touring, marketing grants,

streamlined border facilitation

Mental Health Support Government‑industry backed wellness funds, peer

counseling, sustainable touring policies

Media & Visibility Strengthen blogs, playlists, editorial exposure;

categorize Canadian talent domestically

By implementing these strategies, grounded in existing programs and

best practices from global ecosystems, Canadian artists would gain

infrastructure—financial, educational, wellness, media exposure, and

export support—comparable to U.S. systems. That in turn could help

more Canadian artists reach global success while rooting their

creative infrastructure firmly in Canada.

Wall Street Journal

Pitchfork

YOUNG UPCOMING CANADIAN ARTIST CAN CONTRIBUTE MASSIVELY TO CANADA'S

GDP GROWTH THROUGH ENTERTAINMENT. THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP IS JUST

AROUND THE CORNER. THERE IS NO BETTER TIME THAN NOW FOR US TO MAKE A

STRONG STATEMENT WITH OUR RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE AND DIVERSITY THROUGH

ENTERTAINMENT.

"IT IS THE PERFECT TIME FOR US TO STEP UP OUR GAME TO TAKE OVER THE

GAME. STARTING AT THE BOTTOM WHERE WE HIT (DRAKE)-LET'S TAKE THE LEAD

TO STARDOM AND SHINE LIKE SUPERSTARS''

OUR MISSION

OUR VISION

OVERVIEW

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