inFocus on the impact of the pandemic on live music in Canada

It’s a cliché now to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on everyone’s lives. But no sector in Canada has been as deeply affected and hardest hit as live music.

In the span of days, concerts big and small were postponed and cancelled around the world. Musicians, technicians, venue owners and staff, and others who depend on live music saw their livelihoods disappear.

Throughout 2020 and 2021, I worked closely with Music Canada, the national association representing the world’s largest record labels, to understand how the pandemic was impacting live music.

We surveyed Canadians on their intentions to return to live music, how well they understood the pandemic's impact and their desire for government support for the sector. We also surveyed artists and found that not only has the pandemic eliminated their primary income source, but it’s had a devastating impact on their emotional and mental health.

Like most Canadians, I want live music to be there when this pandemic is over and I’m so delighted that Music Canada’s CEO Patrick Rogers and the President and CEO of the Canadian Live Music Association Erin Benjamin agreed to join me to discuss what needs to happen to save the sector and get live music back on its feet once this is all over.

This is about protecting Canadian culture, art, and music and in my view, it’s not a question of whether governments should step up to support the industry, but the scale needed to get the sector and artists through it.

For more information about the Canadian Live Music Association's campaign, please visit: https://canadianlivemusic.ca/fortheloveoflive/