Canadian Podcast Industry Calls on Federal Government to Fund Podcasting as Core Cultural Sector

A coalition of Canada’s top podcast creators, producers, and platforms has issued an open letter to the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, urging the federal government to formally recognize and fund podcasting as a core part of Canada’s cultural and creative industries.

The letter, co-signed by industry leaders including JAR Audio, Quill, Kelly&Kelly, Pod the North, and Digital First Canada, calls attention to podcasting’s meteoric growth both globally and domestically—and Canada’s failure to adequately support it.

“Podcasting is one of the fastest-growing global media sectors,” says Roger Nairn, Co-Founder of JAR Audio. “And yet in Canada, we’re still treated like an afterthought in cultural policy. That’s unacceptable.”

Despite podcasting’s increasing role in Canadian storytelling, education, and journalism—particularly for underserved and equity-deserving communities—podcasts remain largely excluded from core public funding programs, including those administered by the Canada Media Fund (CMF) and Canada Council for the Arts.

The letter lays out key statistics:

• 12 million Canadian adults now listen to podcasts monthly
• Francophone podcast listening has surged 65% since 2019
• Podcasting plays a growing role in Indigenous storytelling, children’s education, and civic journalism
• Canadian podcasts make up just 43% of local listening—a number that’s stagnated in recent years

The signatories are calling for three actions:

• A dedicated federal podcast fund for audio and video formats
• Updated CMF eligibility criteria to explicitly include podcasts
• National consultations to build a future-ready podcast policy framework

They stress the urgency: Without immediate action, the ecosystem risks being overrun by U.S.-dominated content and brand-funded AI-driven shows that lack cultural context, public accountability, or long-term creative vision.

“This is a critical moment for Canadian storytelling,” says Fatima Zaidi, Founder & CEO of Quill and CoHost. “The talent is here. The audience is here. The stories are here. Now we need the support to match.”

Podcast industry leaders across Canada are invited to co-sign the letter and join the growing movement to secure Canada’s audio future.

To sign on, complete this form - Read the full letter