Advocacy for the English Theatre Community in Montreal’s 2025-2030 Cultural Development Policy
Update: January, 2026
On January 12, 2026, the City of Montreal announced a $2.5 million increase to the Conseil des arts de Montréal (CAM) as part of its 2026 budget, bringing total funding to nearly $24.5 million.
CAM's response to the City of Montreal Budget 2026:
Key Points:
The CAM budget will increase by $2.5 million in 2026, reaching $24.234 million (an 11.4% increase).
The 2025 amount was frozen (0% change in the budget).
The 2024 amount increased by $0.43M increase (or 2%).
The 2026 increase represents the first real increase to the budget outside of combating inflation devaluation since 2021.
This is the largest dollar increase to the CAM budget in 10 years.
CAM will broaden the envelope of funding to organisations by $1.5M.
This is CAM's 70th anniversary year.
Soraya Martinez Ferrada pledged a CAM budget of $30 million by 2028 during a debate in October of 2025.
The last time funding was frozen was 2005-2007.
CAM's Strategic plan for 2026-2030 - “For the arts, for the world”:
Key Points:
Transforming itself to better support and assist artists: CAM intends to design a one-stop shop for artists and position itself as a space for non-financial services, networking and experimentation.
Acting as a driver of cohesion and change for the arts ecosystem in Montreal: CAM wishes to amplify the voice of the community and respond to critical issues while forging bold partnerships.
Building a culture of intelligence at the service of experimentation and innovation: CAM intends to integrate research and innovation into its practices while relying on data to measure its impact.
Becoming a lever of influence for Montreal's prominence as a Francophone cultural metropolis: CAM wishes to develop national and international partnerships, stimulate the mobility of Montreal artists and contribute to repositioning the city as an attractive Francophone cultural metropolis.
Update: February 4th, 2025
On February 4th, 2025, the Commission on Culture, Heritage and Sports from the City of Montreal publicly adopted certain recommendations from the consultation of the Montreal population, in the fall of 2024, on the draft Montreal Cultural Development Policy. QDF participated in this consultation to represent and advocate for the Montreal English theatre community. (See below for more details about the consultation.)
in the fall of 2024,
the Commission on Culture, Heritage and Sports from the City of Montreal consulted the Montreal population on the draft Montreal Cultural Development Policy 2025-2030.
This commission accepted written statements from private citizens, or organisations. Selected statements were to be read at a hearing in front of the commission at City Hall, including time for questions.
The Quebec Drama Federation spearheaded the writing of this letter, a response to the draft cultural plan, with collaboration from several PACT Region 6 members, who signed off on the letter.
Our letter was selected to be read in front of the hearing.
Key points:
Further support to our municipal funder, the Conseil Des Arts De Montréal.
Support towards the ongoing venue crisis.
A commitment to respecting and supporting all of the linguistic and cultural diversity in Montreal.
On November 11th, Rahul Gandhi, Luciana Burcheri from The Segal Center, and Alan Wrenshall from PWM attended the hearing, with Luciana taking the lead on presenting the letter. Watch the session here.
After months of consideration, on February 4th, 2025, the Commission will publicly adopt certain recommendations.
(Updates on the top of the webpage.)
“IF MONTREAL WANTS CULTURE, MONTREAL MUST FOSTER THE CIRCUMSTANCES FOR CULTURE TO EXIST. THAT BEGINS WITH SUPPORTING THE PEOPLE BEHIND IT.”
LIST OF SIGNATORIES ON THE LETTER:
Rahul Gandhi, Quebec Drama Federation
Alanna Wrenshall, Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal
Fatma Sarah Elkashef, Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal
Alison Darcy, Scapegoat Carnivale
Amanda Kellock, Repercussion Theatre
Kathryn Westoll, Geordie Theatre
Lyne Paquette, Talisman Theatre
Zach Fraser, Infinithéâtre
Adele Benoit, Black Theatre Workshop
Dian Marie Bridge, Black Theatre Workshop
Shayne Lovsin-Couture, Independent Producer
Eda Holmes, Centaur Theatre Company
Amy Blackmore, Théâtre MainLine Theatre/FringeMTL
Rahul Varma, Teesri Duniya Theatre
Lisa Rubin, Segal Centre for Performing Arts