The Impact of COVID-19 on Festivals and Events
Highlights from a survey of more than 100 Canadian festivals and events conducted in August 2020.

A brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance - Prebudget Consultation

FAME’s Annual Report includes a general introduction and relevant data on the importance of the industry.

Festivals and Major Events Canada (FAME) is joined by event organizers across the country in welcoming the details announced today by the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Steven Guilbeault, regarding the $500M Arts, Culture, and Sport Emergency Support Fund. FAME considers this to be an important first step in the long road towards ensuring the survival of its members and the eventual relaunch of their activities.

Festivals and Major Events Canada (FAME) is enthusiastic regarding the recent announcement of the Liberal Party of Canada’s Cabinet. While we are welcoming new faces such as Ministers Steven Guilbeault and Bill Blair to the portfolios of Canadian Heritage and Public Safety, we are also welcoming back Ministers Navdeep Bains and Melanie Joly to their previous – but adjusted – roles at Innovation, Science, and Industry and Economic Development and Official Languages. FAME looks forward to working together with this new team of advocates for culture, tourism, economic growth and public safety and building a better business environment for all festivals and events in Canada.

As a summer season highlighted by great weather and exciting events draws to a close, Festivals and Major Events Canada (FAME) and le Regroupement des événements majeurs internationaux (RÉMI) are calling upon the federal political parties – in the midst of their election campaigns – to commit to ensuring an improved business environment for the festivals and events sector that favors economic development and international tourism.

FAME’s Annual Report includes a general introduction and relevant data on the importance of the industry.

The 2019-2020 Federal budget contains extremely positive news for Festivals and Major Events Canada (FAME)! It includes measures that aim to ensure security at community gatherings, as well as an important increase in funding for both the Canada Arts Presentation Fund (CAPF) and the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Program – the main Federal programs supporting the festivals and events industry as well as various presenters of performing arts. The creation of the Canadian Experiences Fund, as part of the new Federal Strategy on Jobs and Tourism, is also welcome news.

This plan proposes to “keep them safe,” “support their growth,” and “focus on creation.” It presents the challenges they face in each of these areas and proposes actions to be taken.

According to a Léger survey commissioned by FAME and the Regroupement des événements majeurs internationaux (RÉMI), nearly three in four Canadians (72%) are in favour of financial intervention from the federal government to help festivals and events ensure the safety of participants.