Who is impacted? Professional artists in Canada, particularly senior artists, face precarious financial situations due to low and unstable incomes. Many older artists struggle with ageism, financial insecurity, and a lack of adequate support as they continue to create and contribute to our cultural landscape. More than a third of senior artists report annual incomes below $20,000, making it difficult to sustain their livelihoods and artistic careers.

What is at stake? Without intervention, many artists will continue to live in financial distress, unable to fully pursue their creative endeavors. This could result in a loss of cultural contributions from some of Canada’s most experienced and talented artists. Providing a refundable tax credit, reintroducing income averaging, updating the Copyright Act, and developing a seniors strategy will help ensure that artists can continue to enrich our society and maintain their dignity and financial stability. Additionally, recognizing the unique contributions of Indigenous, racialized, disabled, and other equity-deserving communities within the artistic sector is crucial for a diverse and inclusive cultural landscape.

Why is now the time to act? Immediate action is crucial to support the financial well-being of Canadian artists and foster a thriving cultural sector. As the government prepares the 2025 Federal Budget, there is a unique opportunity to implement these vital recommendations. By addressing these issues now, the government can ensure that the contributions of artists are valued and supported, allowing them to continue inspiring future generations and enhancing Canada's cultural heritage.

The Canadian Artists Network Recommendations

Recommendation 1: Provide a Refundable Tax Credit for Artistic Income.
Introduce a refundable tax credit of 15% for professional artistic income up to $10,000. This credit will create a powerful incentive for creativity, especially for artists struggling to earn a living, including those from Indigenous, Black, and other racialized communities, diverse, older, and emerging artists. This measure aligns with existing definitions and controls in the Income Tax Folio – S4-F14-C1, Artists and Writers, and the Status of the Artist Act.

Recommendation 2: Reintroduce a Four-Year Income Back-Averaging System.
Professional artists often experience significant fluctuations in income. Reintroducing a four-year income back-averaging system would ensure tax fairness, preventing artists from facing higher overall tax burdens due to sporadic income. This system would benefit all gig workers, ensuring they pay their fair share of taxes without being penalized for irregular income streams.

Recommendation 3: Update the Copyright Act to, among other objectives, improve the financial situation of professional artists
Updating the Copyright Act is essential to improving the financial situation of professional artists. Key changes should include implementing an Artist Resale Right, which would provide visual artists with 5% of the value of works that are resold. Additionally, expanding the Private Copying Levy to all technologies used to copy works for private use and eliminating the Educational Exemption will ensure fair compensation for artists in the digital age.

Recommendation 4: Provide a special envelope of funding to the Canada Council for the Arts to be directed specifically to older professional artists, including those from Indigenous, racialized, disabled, and other equity-deserving communities.
Allocate a special funding envelope to the Canada Council for the Arts specifically for older professional artists, including those from Indigenous, racialized, disabled, and other equity-deserving communities. This funding will support the career needs of older artists who do not retire, ensuring they have the same access to grants, funding, and opportunities as their younger colleagues.

About the Canadian Artists Network

The Canadian Artists Network (CAN)CAN is committed to ensuring than senior professional artists live in an inclusive world where they can continue to pursue their careers and serve as role models for the next generation. Founded in 2011 as the Canadian Senior Artists Resource Network (CSARN), CAN offers a supportive community and a variety of programs and services to keep artists connected, informed, and inspired. We work with experienced artists across all disciplines, advocating for their needs and celebrating their ongoing contributions to society.

Sign this petition to support the Canadian Artists Network's recommendations for the 2025 Federal Budget. Together, we can ensure that Creativity Lives Forever.