YouTube is advocating for greater visibility and support for Canada's creator economy, highlighting its significant economic impact and the challenges faced by digital creators. In 2025, the YouTube creator ecosystem contributed over $2 billion CAD to Canada’s GDP and sustained more than 35,000 full-time equivalent jobs. Despite this success, many creators feel underrepresented in policymaking and lack access to essential business resources.
Nicole Bell, Head of YouTube Canada, emphasized the need for modernizing cultural traditions to recognize digital-first creators as legitimate business owners. Key recommendations include introducing distinct NAICS tracking codes for digital creators, making the Canada Media Fund's Digital Creators Envelope permanent, and launching a dedicated digital studio financing initiative by the Business Development Bank of Canada.
To address these needs, YouTube is funding a new Independent Production Fund (IPF) program called the YouTube Creator Level Up program. This initiative aims to cultivate business skills and offer grants to scale up the Canadian creator economy, with a dedicated stream supporting emerging creators in Canada’s Northern Territories.
YouTube is collaborating with government partners and cultural leaders to champion the creator economy, break down barriers, and ensure Canada backs the entrepreneurs who are carrying our stories to the world.