For several decades, the Government of Canada has acted as leader and defender of cultural sovereignty. Today, it is helping ensure that it does not fall solely into the hands of digital giants. Canada reaffirms its desire to act collectively so that the fundamental values of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions are not only preserved but strengthened-and that the digital environment can remain a lever for cultural diversification.
The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage, today announced that Canada is more firmly committed than ever to protecting cultural heritage, which is fundamental to the identity, social cohesion, economic sustainability, peace and security of the international community in the digital age. The government is working tirelessly to guarantee a future where all cultural expressions are valued, both on our screens and in our everyday lives.
We are at a decisive turning point: the rise of digital platforms and technologies offers unprecedented opportunities for the creative sector, but it also raises major challenges in terms of regulation, fairness, protection of cultural identities and linguistic diversity. We will continue to take a close look at the rapidly developing world of artificial intelligence (AI) and adapt to the risks and opportunities it brings.
As a member of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, Canada raised these issues at the Committee's 18th session, which was held in Paris from February 11 to 14. At this meeting, Canada worked with the other Parties to the Convention to advance the implementation of the recommendations of the UNESCO Reflection Group on the diversity of cultural expressions in the digital environment.
This work, which began here in Canada-in cooperation with the Government of Quebec and informed by civil society-at the group's inaugural meeting in the spring of 2024, is essential to better understand the complex issues of this evolving ecosystem. It highlights the immense challenges that many countries continue to face.
Canada is already fully committed to several of the general objectives put forward by the experts, such as promoting cooperation on cultural and linguistic diversity, fostering inclusive AI ecosystems and strengthening capacity in developing countries.
Consult Canada's Quadrennial Periodic Report on the Implementation of the UNESCO Convention, which demonstrates the collective effort of our many partners, including the provinces and territories, major Canadian cultural institutions, and civil society, to highlight our support for the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions.
