Ministers responsible for culture and heritage discuss strengthening culture and heritage sectors in Canada and advancing their collaboration at their annual meeting

WINNIPEG, MB, Aug. 27, 2026 /CNW/ -- Federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) ministers responsible for culture and heritage concluded their two-day annual meeting in Winnipeg today. The meeting was co-hosted by the Honourable Nellie Kennedy, Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages.

In an increasingly uncertain and divided world, culture brings us together while strengthening our economy. This year's meeting helped reaffirm the vital role arts, culture and heritage play in facing common challenges in our society and the importance of governments working together on the approval of a new five-year strategic framework. Priorities under this new framework are: 

• Advancing a resilient creative economy
• Enhancing the stewardship and vitality of Canada's heritage and culture
• Promoting engagement with culture and heritage

Ministers were informed about the developments related to the federal government's priorities and latest initiatives to protect and strengthen the cultural sectors in Canada. Notably, the federal government has initiated its modernization of its support to the audiovisual sector and is exploring areas of collaboration with provincial and territorial governments.

Ministers shared their perspectives on cultural sector priorities and opportunities for collaboration, including support for cultural infrastructure and exploring innovative models to increase investment in the sector.

Ministers discussed approaches to advancing a resilient creative economy, with presentations on:

• the Looking Forward program in Manitoba, conceived to address challenges in the arts and culture sector;
• the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on workers in the cultural sector and promoting responsible use of AI; and
• building financial resilience in the cultural sector through social impact investing.

Ministers also discussed approaches to mitigating climate risk to archaeology and paleontology and received a presentation on Manitoba's burial policy. Ministers tasked officials to take stock of legislation, policies and frameworks in place to support the repatriation of Indigenous ancestors and belongings, and consider ways to collaborate and to support these efforts.

Ministers shared updates on legislative initiatives in several provinces and territories related to the socioeconomic conditions of artists, heritage resource conservation, cultural sovereignty, the discoverability of French-language cultural content, and heritage recognition of cultural communities.

FPT ministers look forward to visiting Iqaluit, where their next meeting will be hosted from May 17 to 19, 2027.

Quotes

"From the stories we tell to the places and traditions we preserve, our culture reflects the diversity and history of our country, brings us together and protects our sovereignty. We have seen what we can accomplish when governments work together to support our cultural sectors and make it easier for Canadians to experience and discover our culture. As our cultural and creative sectors navigate important changes, our governments are committed to strengthening collaboration to protect and strengthen these sectors, seize new opportunities, and ensure that Canada's culture remains vibrant for generations to come."
--The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages

"Manitoba was pleased to host this year's Federal-Provincial-Territorial meeting and to work with partners from across Canada on shared priorities. Our discussions highlighted the importance of collaboration in supporting Canada's arts, culture and heritage sectors. Manitoba remains committed to working with our partners to strengthen communities and advance shared priorities for the benefit of Canadians."
--The Honourable Nellie Kennedy, Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism

Quick Facts

• The culture sector brings immense benefits to Canadians and their communities, while making a significant contribution to the economy. Culture's annual gross domestic product (GDP) in Canada in 2025 was $69.1 billion, with jobs in culture totalling just over 692,000. Data for the first quarter of 2026 indicate slight but steady growth in cultural GDP and a slight decline in jobs from the previous quarter.
• Culture sector GDP trended upward by 25.7 percent from 2019 to 2025, and jobs increased overall by 5.6 percent during the same period.

Due to the election period, Quebec did not take a position on the issues discussed at this meeting.

SOURCE Federal, provincial, and territorial ministers responsible for culture and heritage

Contacts: For more information (media only), please contact: Hermine Landry, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, [email protected]; Media Relations: Canadian Heritage, [email protected]; Manitoba Government Communications and Engagement, [email protected]