Music Publishers Canada and Minister MacLeod discuss growing Ontario’s creative and export-focused music publishing industry

From left to right: Chris Giansante (Anthem Entertainment), Dan Hill, Marina Adam (Ontario Creates), Jodie Ferneyhough (CCS Rights Management), Graeme Cornies, Ontario Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Cultural Industries Lisa MacLeod, Margaret McGuffin (Music Publishers Canada), Vince Degiorgio (CYMBA Music Publishing), Jennifer Mitchell (Red Brick Songs), Fast Romantics (Matthew Angus, Kirty), Rell Lafargue (Reservoir), Vivian Barclay (Warner Chappell Music Canada)

TORONTO, ON – The board of directors of Music Publishers Canada (MPC) was pleased to meet with Ontario’s Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Cultural Industries Lisa LacLeod today at member company Anthem Entertainment to discuss how music publishers are helping to grow Ontario’s economy and partnering with the province to build on its export potential.

“We were thrilled to meet Minister MacLeod today to discuss how the music publishing sector is building on the province’s economic momentum and to advance our shared goals of growing the sector, remaining globally competitive and ensuring Ontario songs are heard around the world”, says Music Publishers Canada executive director Margaret McGuffin.

Exports have driven growth in Canada’s music publishing industry with more than two-thirds of revenues coming from foreign sources in 2017, compared to when it was less than one-third in a 2005 study. This complete reversal of business activity has a bottom line impact: according to Statistics Canada total industry revenues increased from $118.6 million in 2005 to $329 million in 2017. Music publishing revenues accrue largely in Ontario, with 92 per cent of revenues being associated with Ontario headquarters.

“Ontario is open for business, open for jobs, and open for artists. It is clear to me that our music publishing industry plays an important innovative role in helping to improve Ontario’s economic potential,” said Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. “I want to thank Music Publishers Canada for meeting me today to discuss Ontario talent and the opportunities that exist in our province.” 

The Ontario music publishing and sound recording sector employs more than 4,000 people, accounting for 42 per cent of the sector across the country.  The MPC board of directors was joined by Grammy and JUNO award-winning singer-songwriter Dan Hill (Anthem Entertainment), singer-songwriter Matthew Angus and Kirty from Fast Romantics (Red Brick Songs) and Paw Patrol composer Graeme Cornies (CCS Rights Management) who spoke about their experiences as songwriters and composers.

“I thank the Minister for her support of our innovative and growing export-oriented sector”, says Jennifer Mitchell, founder of Red Brick Songs. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Ontario government to build opportunities that allow us to invest in songwriters and composers.”

Ontario music publishers represent and invest in thousands of songs, songwriters and composers who are heard daily on the radio, on streaming services, in video games and in film, television and other screen-based productions around the world.