SOCAN responds to tabling of Online Streaming Act

Story by SOCAN | Thursday February 3rd, 2022

SOCAN welcomes the tabling of the Online Streaming Act, and is in support of the proposed legislation as a foundation for now and the future.

“The Online Streaming Act is a big step in the right direction,” said SOCAN CEO Jennifer Brown. “The government has clearly heard from Canada’s music creators that they need support to create, and to be fairly promoted on streaming services, and this bill sets the stage for that to happen.”

Currently, for every dollar in music licenses from Canadian TV and radio broadcasters, around 34 cents are distributed to Canadian songwriters and composers, but for every license dollar from online streaming, only 10 cents remain in Canada. The Online Streaming Act is the first step to correcting that inequity for music creators.

Online streaming services promoting Canadian music will make it easier for Canadian audiences to find and engage with our songs and stories.

“The existing Broadcasting Act was designed before the Internet was a music delivery platform, and modernization is desperately needed,” Brown added. “Reforming the Act is a necessary step to strengthening Canadian songwriters and composers’ place within Canada and supporting Canadian music in a digital world.”

SOCAN thanks Minister of Canadian Heritage, The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez,  for staying true to the promise of introducing this important Bill, and looks forward to all parties stepping up for what’s right for Canada’s culture and economy.

Photo by Marie-Michèle Bouchard

Canadians agree: Online streaming companies should promote music made in Canada

Story by SOCAN | Thursday February 3rd, 2022

More than two-thirds (68%) of Canadians agree that it is important for foreign internet and social media companies to contribute to/promote Canadian music, TV shows, and movies, and nearly a quarter (23%) “strongly agree” with this sentiment, according to a Leger survey of Canadians across the country.

When asked to respond to the statement “I think it is important that foreign internet and social media companies contribute to and promote Canadian music, TV shows and movies,” only about one-in-ten (13%) disagreed, and 19% said they didn’t know.

Across Canada, there was consensus that the concept is important, and residents of Quebec led all provinces, with a full 28% responding that they “strongly agree” with the statement.

Perhaps surprisingly, younger Canadians expressed the strongest collective agreement that online streaming companies should support made-in-Canada music, with some 72% of respondents saying they strongly agree or agree.

“It’s clear that Canadians agree overall that streaming services should be contributing to the creation and promotion of Canadian music,” said SOCAN CEO Jennifer Brown. “Canadian creators need support to continue to develop Canadian music in the world of streaming, and Canada must be a place for emerging music creators, where songwriters and composers can create, grow and thrive.”

Streaming services have been in Canada for almost a decade without equitable support for music creators. Right now, for every dollar in music licenses from Canadian TV and radio broadcasters, around 34 cents are distributed to Canadian songwriters and composers, but for every license dollar from online streaming services, only 10 cents remain in Canada.

According to SOCAN data, the situation is even more bleak for francophone SOCAN songwriter and composer members. On traditional media, they are receiving an average of 7% of all traditional royalties collected, while on digital media, they are receiving an average of 1.8% of digital royalties collected, a stark decrease of 76%.

The tabling of the Online Streaming Act on February 2, 2022, is an important first step to make it easier for Canadian audiences to find and engage with Canadian creators, giving our music a place in the world of streaming.

The full Leger research results can be found here.

Photo by couresty of / courtoisie de Gala Dynastie

Gala Dynastie: Nominees announced for 2022

Story by Eric Parazelli | Thursday February 3rd, 2022

The Gala Dynastie has been held in Montréal since 2017 as the culmination of Black History Month. This one-of-a-kind gala in Québec aims at rewarding personalities from the Black communities who distinguish themselves in the fields of music, arts, and culture, and whose achievements and accomplishments deserve to be recognized. The sixth annual edition will be held in Montréal’s Théâtre Maisonneuve on Mar. 5, 2022.

The nominees, in 13 categories, were announced on Feb. 2, 2022, and here are the music-related ones:

Video of the Year
AstrotoniX—Bloom
Dominique Fils Aimé—Love Take Over
Zach Zoya— In Da Way
KNLO—Plafond
Maky Lavender—Bloom

“World Music” Artist or Act of the Year
Pierre Kwenders
Joyce N’ Sana
Waahli
Djely Tapa
Kelly Krow

Anglophone Artist or Act of the Year
Planet Giza
Shay Lia
Zach Zoya
Dominique Fils-Aimé
Naya Ali

Francophone Artist or Act of the Year
Lost
KNLO
Tizzo
Connaisseur Ticaso
Imposs

Artist or Act of the Year Having Achieved the Most Success Internationally
Pierre Kwenders
AfrotroniX
Zach Zoya
Naya Ali
Kaytranada

Breakthrough Artist
Skifall
Shreez
Gayance
Clerel
Maky Lavender

For the full list of nominations, visit the Gala Dynastie website.

The event will be hosted by stand-up comedian Preach, and musical entertainment will be provided by DJ Sweet La Rock. The gala will also feature performances from Lost, Djely Tapa, Alan Prater, Kelly Krow, and Yama Laurent. This year’s edition will also pay homage to Don Karnage and Karim Ouellet, both of whom passed away in January of 2022.