From Ontario Presents. Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
Yesterday, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne presented Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first federal budget, titled “Canada Strong,” which confirmed that supplementary funds for performing arts presenters and festivals have been renewed in the 2025 federal budget.
Ontario Presents, in partnership with CAPACOA and other provincial presenting and art service organizations, participated in the Canadian Coalition for the Arts’ Campaign for Culture — a collective advocacy effort that inspired more than 52,000 letters to Members of Parliament, calling for continued investment in the Canada Council for the Arts and Canadian Heritage.
Yesterday’s announcement — an investment of $769 million over five years in arts and culture programs, agencies, and special initiatives beginning in 2025-2026 — is a testament to the dedication, collaboration, and advocacy of Canada’s arts and culture communities. Thank you to everyone who sent a letter, email, or placed a call to their MP in support of this important work.
The 2025 budget extends supplementary funding for the Canadian Arts Presenting Fund (CAPF) and Building Communities through Arts and Heritage (BCAH), this time over three years. While spending reductions are anticipated across departments as part of the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review — including Canadian Heritage — no budget cuts are expected to the Canada Council for the Arts.