Article – Canada’s arts sector is quietly becoming an economic powerhouse, growing at nearly double the pace of the broader economy. According to a new report from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce released Tuesday, arts and culture industries expanded by a remarkable 8.3% in 2022, substantially outpacing the country’s overall economic growth of 4.5%.
As someone who’s tracked various sectors of our economy for years, these figures caught my attention. We often discuss tech startups and natural resources when highlighting economic drivers, but Canada’s creative industries are proving their financial might in ways that deserve more recognition.
The report reveals that arts and culture contributed $58.8 billion to Canada’s GDP last year. That’s not just an impressive number in isolation—it represents a genuine recovery and expansion beyond pre-pandemic levels. While many industries are still clawing their way back to 2019 figures, the arts sector has already surpassed its pre-COVID performance.
“The narrative around arts and culture in Canada has typically centered on their cultural and social value,” says Stephen Higham, the Chamber’s vice president of policy. “But these numbers tell a compelling economic story that can’t be ignored by policymakers or investors.”
What’s particularly noteworthy about this growth is how it’s distributed. The report shows that several specific subsectors are driving this expansion, with film and television production, digital media, and performing arts showing especially robust gains. The film industry alone contributed $12.9 billion to the economy, benefiting from both international productions choosing Canadian locations and homegrown content finding global audiences.
The workforce numbers further reinforce this trend. The sector now employs approximately 726,600 people across Canada, representing an 8.7% increase from 2021. That exceeds the national employment growth rate of 3.7% during the same period.
Behind these figures lies a complex web of factors. Federal and provincial tax credits have certainly played a role in attracting production and investment, particularly in film and television. The Canada Media Fund reports that for every dollar of tax credit offered, approximately $6 of economic activity is generated.
Yet not all is rosy within this growth story. The report also highlights significant regional disparities, with Ontario and British Columbia capturing nearly 70% of arts and culture GDP. This concentration raises questions about equitable development and opportunities for creative professionals across the country.
“We’re seeing a two-speed creative economy developing,” explains Claire Patterson, an economist with the Royal Bank of Canada. “Major urban centers are experiencing explosive growth in creative industries, while many smaller communities and provinces struggle to retain talent and attract investment.”
The pandemic has also accelerated digital transformation within the arts, creating winners and losers. While streaming services and digital content creators have thrived, traditional venues like theaters and concert halls have faced steeper recovery challenges. Statistics Canada data shows that in-person attendance at performing arts events remains approximately 15% below 2019 levels, despite the sector’s overall growth.
What makes these figures particularly impressive is that they come against the backdrop of significant challenges. Supply chain disruptions, inflation, and labor shortages have affected the arts just as they have other industries. Production costs in film and television have increased by an estimated 25% since 2019, according to the Canadian Media Producers Association.
The international dimension shouldn’t be overlooked either. Canadian content is increasingly finding global audiences through streaming platforms. “Emily in Paris” might get all the attention, but shows like “Schitt’s Creek” and films like “The Whale” have demonstrated Canada’s capacity to create internationally successful content while generating domestic economic benefits.
For government policymakers, these numbers present both validation and challenges. The economic impact suggests that support for the arts shouldn’t be viewed merely as cultural subsidies but as investments with measurable returns. At the same time, ensuring this growth benefits all regions and creative disciplines will require thoughtful policy approaches.
Like the tech sector a decade ago, arts and culture may be approaching an inflection point where they’re increasingly recognized as significant economic drivers rather than just cultural amenities. The parallels don’t end there—both sectors face questions about concentration of power, accessibility of opportunities, and the balance between commercial success and creative integrity.
For those of us covering business trends, this report should prompt a rethinking of how we frame arts and culture in economic discussions. The data suggests they deserve to be analyzed with the same seriousness we apply to manufacturing, technology, or natural resources.
The question now is whether this growth is sustainable. Some economic headwinds are intensifying, with inflation and interest rates potentially affecting both production budgets and consumer spending on entertainment. The upcoming federal budget will be a key indicator of whether government recognizes and plans to support this growth trajectory.
What’s clear is that Canada’s arts sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability. In an economy often characterized by its dependence on natural resources and proximity to the United States, the creative industries are carving out their own distinct success story—one that combines cultural significance with genuine economic impact.
That’s a narrative worth both celebrating and scrutinizing as we look toward Canada’s economic future.
