For over a year, we’ve been pushing hard for updates on Alberta’s long‑promised music action plan and the creation of a Music Commissioner. In October I asked Minister Fir if she had any updates. Her response: “stay tuned for more news”.

Our music sector deserves clarity, momentum, and meaningful engagement, and after months of silence, it finally sounds like something may be moving behind the scenes. The 2026/27 Ministry Business Plan states the government will “strengthen and expand Alberta’s music industry through the music action plan”.

We also know the Minister recently convened a meeting with a select group of music industry stakeholders. We know those invited were required to sign NDAs, which strongly suggests that announcements might be coming soon. While that’s encouraging, it also raises important questions about transparency and how the sector will be meaningfully included in the decisions that shape its future.

From day one, we’ve been clear about what Alberta’s music action plan needs to succeed:

🎵 A Music Commission must operate at arm’s length from government.
An independent, empowered body is essential if we want real advocacy, strategic action, and long‑term stability, not just another title without authority or resources.

🎵 The sector must have a voice.
Alberta’s music venues, nonprofits, artists, promoters, and industry leaders have deep knowledge of what’s working, what’s missing, and what policy changes could make the biggest impact. Any Commissioner must be selected with meaningful input from the music community and chosen through a provincewide search for the right person, not an appointment made in isolation.

🎵 Calgary is the obvious home base.
Calgary is Alberta’s Music City: home to the National Music Centre, Music Mile, diverse venues, numerous festivals, and a growing industry ecosystem. Placing the Commission where the infrastructure already exists just makes sense.

🎵 We need a real focus on rebuilding the venue ladder.
From small stages to midsize rooms to major venues, the entire venue pipeline is essential to developing artists, retaining talent, and ensuring that Alberta remains competitive nationally and internationally. A Music Commissioner must prioritize strengthening this ladder at every rung.

And of course, all of this requires actual resources—not symbolic gestures. We’ve seen what’s possible in film and television when the province invests strategically in people, expertise, and infrastructure. Music deserves that same level of financial commitment.

Right now, the sector is still waiting for confirmation that this government intends to follow through on an action plan in a way that sets a Music Commissioner up for success. We’re hopeful, but we’ll be watching closely. Alberta’s musicians, venues, and music workers need more than announcements and photo ops—they need action, collaboration, and a plan that reflects the real challenges and real opportunities in front of us.

We’re ready to keep pushing. And we want to hear from you:

What do you think Alberta’s Music Action Plan should prioritize? What would help your corner of the music world thrive?

Let’s build the future of Alberta music together. 🎶

We’re done staying tuned, we’re ready for action.