The Association of Canadian Publishers (ACP) welcomes the Government of Canada’s decision to permanently increase the Canada Book Fund by $5 million annually, and to increase funding for the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA) by $20 million over three years in Budget 2026. Both investments will help Canadian-owned publishers bring more Canadian books to readers at home and abroad.
This increase will bring the Canada Book Fund’s total annual budget to approximately $43.4 million starting in 2027–28. Permanent funding gives publishers greater certainty when they sign new authors and invest in Canadian intellectual property and cultural infrastructure. The investment in the CCA is welcome news for the broader arts sector, including the publishers and writers who rely on its programs to support the creation and dissemination of Canadian literature.
ACP also welcomes the announcement in Budget 2026 to launch a free national digital collection of Canadian books, giving greater visibility to the breadth and depth of literary talent and knowledge in our country. We look forward to working closely with Library and Archives Canada to structure a program that enhances the discoverability and affordability of books for all Canadians and builds Canadian digital publishing capacity, including collective work with eBOUND Canada and other partners. It will be important to ensure that creators and publishers are fairly remunerated for the inclusion of their books in this collection through licensing agreements.
“These commitments recognize the essential role Canadian publishers play in our cultural and economic lives,” said Lisa Quinn, ACP President. “A strong Canadian publishing industry is fundamental to our cultural sovereignty. It ensures that our stories are told, our voices are heard, our knowledge is shared, and our intellectual property remains in Canadian hands.”
While ACP appreciates the new $5 million increase to the Canada Book Fund, significantly more investment is still needed. Budget 2026 marks the first time the fund has seen a permanent increase since 2001, with inflation eroding its purchasing power by approximately 72% in that time. The new investment is a vital step, but publishers continue to face rising operating costs. Printing, shipping, and digital production and marketing expenses have dramatically increased, while book prices have not kept pace with inflation, leaving publishers with untenable margins and less capacity to invest in new authors. ACP continues to call for further permanent investment in the fund and for copyright reform that ensures creators and publishers can license the use of their work and receive fair payment. That includes addressing uncompensated copying in education and the use of copyrighted books to train AI systems without rightsholders’ consent.
Additionally, ACP would appreciate the opportunity to help the government define qualifying income for the new Canada Creative Credit ahead of the 2027 Spring Economic Update. Through their work with authors, Canadian-owned publishers can offer practical advice on how the credit should treat advances, royalties, and other income authors earn from their books.
ACP looks forward to continuing its work with the federal government on the issues that will determine the long-term sustainability of Canadian publishing. The announcements in Budget 2026 recognize the fundamental role publishers play in Canada’s economic and cultural landscapes. Continued investment and a strong policy framework will be essential to ensuring that Canadian-owned publishers can grow, compete, and innovate while retaining control over the stories and ideas that comprise our cultural sovereignty.
For more information, contact:
Laura Rock Gaughan, Acting Executive Director
Association of Canadian Publishers
laura_rock_gaughan@canbook.org