Canada’s Screen Industry Is Taking a Stand
Canada’s Screen Industry Is Taking a Stand
A Shared Statement of Values for a Stronger, More Equitable Future
Across the Canadian screen sector, a powerful collective message has been made clear: this is what we stand for.
More than 60 organizations—from broadcasters and funders to training institutions, producers, and equity-focused groups—have come together to launch the Canadian Screen Industry Statement of Values.
Led by the Collaborative Network, a national coalition of senior industry leaders, the Statement reflects 11 shared values that will guide how we create, collaborate, and lead:
- Representation
- Reflection
- Reconciliation
- Equity
- Diversity
- Access
- Support
- Collaboration
- Sustainability
- Accountability
- Showcasing Canadian Stories to the World
“This is what we believe in. This is who we are. And this is where we’re headed,” said Christa Dickenson, President and CEO of CPAC.
“This is what we believe in. This is who we are. And this is where we’re headed,” said Christa Dickenson, President and CEO of CPAC.
What makes this Statement different is how it came together: through collaboration, dialogue, and a commitment to go deeper than surface-level declarations.
“We didn’t toss words on a page and hit ‘send,’” said Mike Omelus, Executive Director of Content and Strategy at APTN. “We reached out to Indigenous and equity-deserving organizations—not for rubber-stamp approval, but to build this vision together.”
At the Black Screen Office, we see this Statement as a critical tool for moving beyond talk—and into action.
“Values clarify. They unite. They build trust,” said Joan Jenkinson, BSO CEO. “At a time when the world is pulling back from equity and inclusion, Canadian leadership needs to show up—with clarity and courage.”
The Statement is open to organizations across the screen industry. Signing on is simple—just a name and logo—but the real commitment lies in what comes next.
“We put the values into practice—through hiring, funding, partnerships, and storytelling,” Joan said. “We grow the signatories. And we hold each other accountable for the industry we say we want.”
This Statement isn’t a one-time gesture.
It’s a living commitment. A framework for accountability. And a reflection of the future we’re working to create—together.
