November 9, 2026
OTTAWA— The Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC) welcomes the Government of Canada's decision to expand the Canadian Journalism Labour Tax Credit (CJLTC) to broadcasters, including CPAC. This measure, in addition to the previously announced $220 million in support of Services of Exceptional Importance, will help provide stability for CPAC and ensure that Canadians have direct, unfiltered access to CPAC's content in both official languages.
By maintaining the 35 per cent tax credit and expanding the CJLTC to eligible Qualified Canadians have access to trusted, impartial news and information.
Furthermore, CPAC welcomes the recommitment in Budget 2026 to the previously announced $600 million commitment to support Canada's audio and audiovisual sectors. That commitment explicitly recognized CPAC as one of Canada's services of exceptional importance. Translating this recognition into sustainable, predictable funding will help safeguard Canadians' access to Parliament, politics and public affairs.
In an environment shaped by misinformation, polarization and fragmented coverage, Canadians need access to the full public record,said Christa Dickenson, CPAC President and CEO.The public need to be able to hear directly from their elected representatives, follow decisions that affect their lives and form their own opinions. As the government puts its commitment into action, stable funding for CPAC must be part of the picture.
CPAC provides direct, unfiltered coverage of parliamentary proceedings, political conventions, press conferences, elections and public policy debates. As audiences increasingly turn to digital platforms, the subscription revenues that have historically supported this work continue to face immense pressure. Reliable funding is essential to sustain coverage, renew critical technical infrastructure and reach Canadians wherever they choose to watch.
CPAC supports the development of the Services of Exceptional Importance Fund (SEIF) as a means of broadening financial support for essential public-interest broadcasting.
Investing in CPAC helps ensure that Canadians can see and hear public life for themselves, in English and French. That access is essential to an informed democracy,added Dickenson.
CPAC's programming is free of commercial advertising under its CRTC conditions of service. Its public-interest mandate depends on reliable funding that preserves its editorial independence and its ability to serve Canadians.
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About CPAC:
CPAC is an independent, not-for-profit, commercial-free, bilingual media organization that connects Canadians to their democracy. On its broadcast television channel, website, and social media platforms, CPAC delivers the most comprehensive coverage of the people and events that shape Canadian public policy. Its core programming includes the complete televised proceedings of Canada's Parliament and in-depth coverage of key political events and public policy debates.
Unique to CPAC is its digital offering, which includes up to 14 simultaneous live streams and a video archive boasting over 80,000 hours of parliamentary and public affairs content.
Media contact:
For media inquiries, please contact Diana Ombe, CPAC communications and marketing coordinator, (343) 961-6231 or dombe@cpac.ca.
