CHANGES
follow the
MONEY...
New Report Calls for Atlantic Canada Music Strategy
A new report unveiled during East Coast Music Week 2017 calls for the need to develop an At-
lantic Canadian Music Strategy in an effort to strengthen the future of the region’s music sector.
Striking A New A-Chord, a report spearheaded by the ECMA, Music Canada, and Music Canada
Live, emphasizes that concentrated investment in the music industry is beneficial not only for
those who work in the sector, but ultimately for the region as a whole.
The report underscores a number of challenges facing musicians and industry professionals
in Atlantic Canada, including stringent liquor laws, changing business models in the industry,
restrictions on live venues, and lack of industry infrastructure. The latter is a key focus for the pro-
posed strategy, calling the shortage of music publishing companies, agents, publicists, bookers,
and artist managers in the region “alarming.”
The entire Striking A New A-Chord report is available at www.musiccanadalive.ca.
CRTC Makes MuchFACT’s Future Uncertain
A recent decision by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) gives Bell Media the option of ending its
funding for MuchFACT. In its Broadcasting Decision 2017-149, the CRTC has removed the requirement by Much and Gusto (formerly M3),
which are owned by Bell Media, to provide funding for the MuchFACT program as a requirement of its broadcast licence.
“Bell Media was granted flexibility by the CRTC in making contributions to MuchFACT and BravoFACT no longer conditions of license for
its Much, Gusto, and Bravo specialty channels. We are currently reviewing both programs and no decisions have been made regarding their
future at this time. Both programs continue to accept grant applications in anticipation of their next funding deadlines later this year,” said
the company in statement.
Since 1984, MuchFACT has awarded more than $100 million and funded nearly 9,000 music videos and related music content.
For more information, go to www.muchfact.ca.
AND THE
WINNER Is...
The Polaris Music Prize has unveiled the 40 albums on this year’s long list. In total, 188 titles
made the first ballots of the 201-member jury.
There are many repeat nominees from past years, including Drake, BADBADNOTGOOD,
A Tribe Called Red, Tanya Tagaq, Feist, Hannah Georgas, The New Pornographers, Japan-
droids, Carly Rae Jepsen, and The Weeknd.
The 10-album short list will be announced live on July 13 th on CBC Music’s Facebook
page. The winning album will be determined at the Polaris Gala on Sept. 18 th . The Polaris
Music Prize will award $50,000 to the artist who creates the Canadian Album of the Year.
Each of the nine other short list artists receives $3,000 courtesy of Slaight Music.
For more information, go to www.polarismusicprize.ca.
Polaris Music Prize Long List Revealed
KAYTRANADA ACCEPTING THE 2016 POLARIS
MUSIC PRIZE
CIMA Awards Honour Canada’s Indie
Music Industry
POLARIS PRIZE FOUNDER STEVE JORDAN RECEIVING CIMA'S
UNSUNG HERO AWARD
14 • C A N A D I A N M U S I C I A N
On June 12 th , the Canadian independent music industry gathered in Toronto to
celebrate the winners of the third annual CIMA Celebration & Awards Gala.
Among the winners was producer and promoter Donald K. Tarlton, who took
home the Builder Award, and Polaris Music Prize Founder Steve Jordan, who
received the Unsung Hero Award. The Brian Chater Leadership Award went to
Sheri Jones and the Entrepreneur Award went to Rob Lanni and Eric Lawrence of
Coalition Music. Arts & Crafts received the Marketing Award for its work on Gord
Downie’s Secret Path.
For more information, go to www.cimamusic.ca.