Quebec cultural revitalization is the focus for GTAAQ

In a significant development, the upcoming ministerial reshuffle could see Mathieu Lacombe, the godfather of the GTAAQ, assuming a new role. The GTAAQ, a committee consisting of experts and professionals from various sectors, has been working tirelessly for 16 months on a report that documents the crisis in the audiovisual industry and proposes solutions.

The report, which was deposited last Friday, paints a stark picture of the industry's current state. It highlights the encroachment of international streaming giants, deteriorating working conditions for artists and artisans, and a lack of funds for projects as signs of crisis.

One of the key recommendations in the report is the refinancing of the audiovisual sector using part of the Quebec Sales Tax (QST) collected on audiovisual-related goods and services. Another radical proposal is the transition to a digital platform and significant refinancing of Télé-Québec.

The report also addresses the issue of young people's consumption habits. It concludes that young people under 25 no longer watch traditional television and primarily consume foreign content online. The trends are alarming, with young people aged 2 to 11 watching foreign content on platforms 99.4% of the time, and the percentage increasing to 99.7% for those aged 12 to 17, and 98% for those aged 18 to 24.

Philippe Lamarre, co-chair of the GTAAQ, believes that exposure to foreign content should not preclude appreciation of local content. He states that the report is apolitical and could suit a new or the same holder of the Culture and Communications portfolio.

However, the future of the recommendations remains uncertain due to potential changes in government. The overhaul of key laws, such as the Loi sur la Société de développement des entreprises culturelles, could take up to five years.

The audiovisual industry is a significant contributor to Quebec's economy, accounting for 3.27 billion of its GDP and supporting tens of thousands of skilled jobs. The economic impacts surpass those of mining, forestry, and information technology.

The report's co-presidents expressed concern that the disappearance of the link between the public and content could render all high reforms irrelevant. They emphasised the need for the public to engage with local content to ensure the survival and growth of the industry.

As the future of the audiovisual industry hangs in the balance, one thing is certain - the report has sparked widespread discussion and could mark a turning point in the industry's trajectory. The minister who will receive the GTAAQ report at the beginning of the next decade is yet to be identified.

In other news, Marie Larocque, a notable figure in the industry, has found "a room of her own" at the OSBL Chez Doris, a women's shelter in Montreal, illustrating the industry's challenges and the need for comprehensive solutions.