Canada’s Creative Industries

The creative industries are a pillar of the Canadian economy. They are strong and innovative, and are a contributor in accelerating the growth of the Canadian economy.

Canada is known globally for its multiculturalism, diversity and inclusivity. In addition to numerous ethnic minorities, Canada is home to more than 1.7 million Indigenous peoples.

The Canadian Constitution recognizes three groups of Indigenous peoples: Indians (more commonly referred to as First Nations), Inuit and Métis. These are three distinct peoples with unique histories, languages, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs. Indigenous Canadians are a big part of the country’s arts and cultural community, creating and sharing their stories at home and abroad. 

In 2019, Canada’s  creative industries accounted for:

• $57.1 billion in GDP;
• 2.6 % of Canada's overall GDP;
• more than 673,000 direct jobs; and
• countless spin-off jobs.

In 2018, Canada’s exports across all creative industry sectors accounted for $16.9 billion in GDP, an increase of 50% since 2010.

Audiovisual Sector

Canada has a vibrant and dynamic audiovisual sector with leading-edge, critically acclaimed, and successful productions and talent. Canadian productions are Oscar-nominated (Brooklyn, Room, Incendies, In Darkness, The Breadwinner) and Emmy Award-winning (Schitt’s Creek, Orphan Black).

Canada is a partner of choice, with coproduction treaties with almost 60 countries across the world; highly sought after studios and premiere settings for foreign location shooting; and top animation, post-production and visual effects production companies. In 2018-2019, domestic and foreign film and television production in Canada reached a historic peak of $9.32 billion.

Music Sector

Music is a key component of Canadians’ everyday life. In recognition of its significant cultural, social and economic contribution, over the years, the Canadian-owned music sector has been supported through legislative, regulatory, financial, and institutional support. The Canadian music industry generates economic activity of nearly $3 billion on average each year through recordings, concerts, radio and copyright. The sound recording and concert sectors employ over 10,000 Canadians and there are over 40,000 professional songwriters and thousands of artists across the country. Canada is one of the largest exporters of music in the world. Some of today’s biggest stars are homegrown Canadian talent (Drake, Justin Bieber, the Week’nd, Daniel Ceasar, Coeur de Pirate, etc.). These incredible artists are supported by a dynamic and innovative ecosystem made up of record labels, music publishers and artist managers who contribute to the development of Canadian artists’ careers through the production and marketing of Canadian music, showcases, tours, etc.

Performing Arts Sector

Canada’s arts sector is substantial in size and scope, with over 183,000 professional artists in various disciplines and over 1700 not-for-profit performing arts companies across the country. The robust engagement of the performing arts and visual arts sectors contributed $12 billion to Canada’s GDP in 2017. In addition to the arts sector’s important economic contribution, Canada’s rich and unique artistic and cultural scene contributes to social well-being, fosters connections and relationships between people, improves quality of life and builds strong, resilient communities throughout the country.

Interactive Digital Media

Interactive digital media (IDM) has always been a space where the boundaries of what is possible are constantly being pushed and stretched by the latest technologies and the passion of creators. Canada is home to over 1000 innovative companies specializing in the production of IDM, including the development of video games, mobile apps, virtual/augmented/mixed reality experiences, and large-scale, projected interactive experiences. With large production hubs in Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver, and smaller hubs across the country, Canada is home to production studios of most of the world’s top video game producers and their most valued franchises. Canadian companies have also shown great leadership in the development of new ways of telling stories using immersive media.

Canadian Creative Industries Trade in Sweden

Exports of Canadian cultural products to Sweden totaled    $11.3 million in 2018. Interactive media, crafts, design and    film & video were the most exported cultural products to Sweden.

More about Canada’s Creative Export Sectors:

• Film & video: Canada’s most important creative export sector, film & video exports totaled $4.2 billion in 2018, accounting for 25% of Canada’s total creative exports. In that same year, Canada exported a value of $0.4 million of film & video products to Sweden. Examples of film & video products include feature films, short films, live action and animated films, documentaries, videos, and interactive movies.

• Performing arts: Canada’s third most important creative export sector, exports of performing arts totaled $1.1 billion in 2018, accounting for 7% of Canada’s total creative exports. In that same year, Canada exported a value of $0.2 million in performing arts products to Sweden. Examples of performing arts products include opera, dance, orchestras, music, circuses, magic shows, ice shows, puppet theatre, and mime shows.

• Interactive media: Canada’s fifth most important creative export sector, interactive media exports totaled $868.3 million in 2018, accounting for 5% of Canada’s total creative exports. Interactive media exports to Sweden grew by 256% from 2010 to 2018, totaling $3.2 million in 2018. Examples of interactive media products include console games, on-line games, wireless games, and PC games.

• Music: Exports of music totaled $465.5 million in 2018, accounting for 3% of Canada’s total creative exports. In that same year, Canada exported a value of    $0.1 million music products to Sweden. Examples of music products include sound recording services, record production, record reproduction and distribution, music composition and publishing.