TikTok Ends Arts Funding in Canada — What’s at Risk for Canadian Digital Entrepreneurs

July 8, 20250 comments

Canadian digital entrepreneurs face serious setbacks unless urgent action is taken.

Earlier this year, the federal government ordered TikTok to shut down its Canadian operations. This decision, made without consulting Canadian Creators or entrepreneurs, forced TikTok to close its Toronto office and end all business with federal departments and agencies.

Now, TikTok Canada has officially ended all arts and cultural funding, including grants to festivals, institutions, and cultural organizations that support our creative ecosystem.

What’s at Stake for Canadian Creators and Entrepreneurs?
TikTok partnerships for programs that Creator-entrepreneurs — such as the Juno’s, TIFF, TikTok Shop monetization tools, Indigenous Accellerator and more are all at risk of disappearing from Canada.
Importantly, Canada does not currently have access to TikTok’s Creator Partner Program. This government decision effectively removes any chance for Canadian TikTokers to ever gain access to it.

TikTok has been a crucial platform for many Canadian entrepreneurs to build businesses, grow audiences, and monetize content. Meanwhile, other countries are actively working with platforms to foster vibrant Creator economies.

At Digital First Canada, we support all platforms abiding by Canadian privacy laws. However, this government action risks not only Canadian Creators and entrepreneurs, but also the government’s ability to negotiate and work constructively with TikTok in the future.

Without a change in approach, Canada risks falling behind on the global stage — losing innovation, jobs, and cultural influence.

There’s Still Time to Find a Better Way
The government can still negotiate a solution that protects Canadian privacy while supporting digital creators and entrepreneurs.

We urge policymakers to:

  • Work with TikTok instead of shutting it out
  • Ensure TikTok complies with Canadian privacy laws
  • Keep investment flowing into Canadian arts, creators, and the digital economy

📢 What can you do?
Email the ministers responsible:

✉️ Click Here To Email Ministers Joly and Guilbeault

Don’t Let Canada Miss Out
Canadian digital entrepreneurs and creators deserve better. It’s time to ensure our government works collaboratively with platforms like TikTok — so we can compete, create, and thrive in the global digital economy.

Please share this post and encourage your network to take action. Our digital future depends on it.

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