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.

In 2018, the creative industries accounted for:

• $56.1 billion in GDP;
• 2.7 % of Canada's overall GDP;
• more than 655,000 direct jobs; and
• countless spin-off jobs.

In that same year, 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 and 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 exporter of music throughout the world and 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 the Netherlands

Exports of Canadian cultural products to the Netherlands totaled $88.3 million in 2018, experiencing an 8% increase since 2010. Film & video, interactive media, crafts, performing arts and design were the most exported cultural products to the Netherlands. Below is a snapshot of these subsector trade statistics: 

• 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 $22.3 million of film & video products to the Netherlands. 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 $8.8 million in performing arts products to the Netherlands. 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 the Netherlands grew by 159% from 2010 to 2018, totaling $10.6 million. Examples of interactive media products include console games, on-line games, wireless games, and PC games.
• Design: Design exports totaled $807.2 million in 2018, accounting for 5% of Canada’s total creative exports. In that same year, Canada exported a value of $8.3 million of design products towards the Netherlands. Examples of design products include graphic, interior, industrial, jewellery, fashion and other specialty design services.
• Books: Exports of books totaled $728.8 million in 2018, accounting for 4% of Canada’s total creative exports. In that same year, Canada exported a value of $1.3 million of book products to the Netherlands. Examples of book products include print, eBooks and audio-books & dissemination services, such as book fairs and literary festivals.
• 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 $4.1 million music products to the Netherlands. Examples of music products include sound recording services, record production, record reproduction and distribution, music composition and publishing.