The Canadian box office is a billion-dollar industry, yet Canadian-made movies earn almost none of that money. While total box office sales often top $800 million, Canadian productions recently captured just 1.4% of that revenue. Most of the screen time and profit go to foreign films, specifically big-budget hits from the United States.

This happens because the system is rigged against Canadian Content (CanCon) creators. Less than 5% of Canadian movies even get a deal to be shown in theatres, largely because U.S. studios use "block booking" to lock us out for over a century. This makes it nearly impossible for Canadian filmmakers to share their stories or grow a successful industry at home.

The Canadian filmmakers' struggle to reach domestic audiences runs deep. Addressing the issue requires targeted policy reforms, incentivizing independent theatres, and updating competition laws as well as an “elbows up” industry collaboration on marketing and distribution. Greater access to homegrown stories would enrich Canada’s cultural landscape plus nurture and support national identity.

Value Proposition

Every Canadian, deserves the opportunity to screen and champion the films of Canadian filmmakers in a manner of their choosing. The presence of diverse narratives not only entertains but also plays a vital role in talent development whilst reinforcing and celebrating Canada’s cultural identity.

The Goal

The primary objective is to spur the launch of a Canadian National Film Distribution Circuit (CNFDC) accompanied by measurable targets for increasing the number of CanCon screenings across the country. The petition calls upon government bodies, industry leaders, independent cinema owners, cultural institutions, and participants in the arts and culture industry to work together in pursuit of this vision.