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Advocacy

One of the main goals of the CCF/FCMA is to act as the voice of Craft in an advocacy capacity. Working with partners in the Visual Arts and Cultural community, we campaign for improved access to cultural funding and programs on behalf of all craftspeople in Canada.

Tariff Position Paper

Tariff Position Paper

Protecting Canada’s Craft Sector in the Face of Growing Trade Barriers

Canadian craftspeople are being priced out of their own markets. As international trade tensions escalate, the makers who shape our cultural identity are becoming unintended casualties of economic policy. Tariffs imposed on cross-border goods threaten the livelihoods of Canadian craftspeople and small business owners. Many are small, independent enterprises that already face the pressures of an unstable creative economy. As Canada navigates complex international trade relations, we cannot ignore the vulnerability of the craft sector—a vital part of our commercial strength and cultural identity.

The Value of Craft 

Craft is both a thriving cultural practice and a strong economic driver.  The latest data from Statistics Canada shows that the craft sector contributed approximately $2,770,570,000 to Canada’s GDP and created 29,991 jobs in 2023. This significant economic contribution highlights the importance of supporting and investing in the craft sector to foster economic development and cultural richness in Canada. From Indigenous beadwork to contemporary ceramics to fine cabinetmaking, Canadian craftspeople enrich both domestic and international markets with culturally significant, expertly made goods. Many operate in hybrid marketplaces, relying on both physical presence and digital platforms to reach customers—particularly in the United States.

The Risk of Tariffs

The Canadian Craft Federation (CCF/FCMA) represents professional craft organizations from coast to coast to coast, and advocates for craft from this unique perspective. A recent survey of CCF/FCMA members found that two-thirds of respondents rely on sales to the U.S. market, and one-quarter report earning up to 99% of their income from these transactions. Importantly, beyond the cost of tariffs, the instability of the current trade environment has suppressed demand and triggered a marked downturn in sales throughout the craft sector. 78% describe being adversely affected by tariffs, political uncertainty, or economic instability. Current and anticipated tariffs threaten not only the ability of craft businesses to access affordable supplies but also jeopardize the sale of finished works and reduce overall market access.

Craft-based businesses are essential contributors to Canada’s cultural fabric and entrepreneurial ecosystem. They are disproportionately impacted by broad trade policy measures that fail to account for their unique, low-volume, high-skill production models. Craft is more than commerce—it is a living expression of heritage, knowledge, and community.

Our Recommendations

As the national body representing Canadian craft, the CCF urges federal and provincial governments to act. This includes:

  1. Advocating for the removal of U.S. tariffs on handmade and low-volume Canadian craft goods.
  2. Exempting Canadian craft small businesses from retaliatory tariffs on raw materials.
  3. Assisting craft small businesses to advance interprovincial trade through easily accessible business development programs.
  4. Developing international markets for the craft sector through targeted funding, export support and educational programs
  5. Supporting Indigenous artists and cultural practices within trade frameworks with direct financial support and guidance that aligns with the Jay Treaty. 
  6. Investing in infrastructure and education to help the craft sector thrive at home and abroad.

Our craftspeople should not be collateral damage in trade disputes. It’s time we recognize their value and protect their future.

Protecting Canada’s Craft Sector: A Letter Writing Campaign

As international trade tensions escalate, Canada’s craft sector is facing growing pressures. The Canadian Craft Federation launched a national letter writing campaign, urging craftspeople and craft advocates to contact their local representatives. The message is clear: tariffs and trade instability are pricing Canadian makers out of vital markets—particularly the U.S.—and putting livelihoods at risk.

This open letter outlines the urgent challenges facing the sector and presents key policy recommendations to support its continued success at home and abroad. 

Add your voice. Sign the open letter and send it to your local MP to help protect the future of Canadian craft here. 

Send a Letter to Your MP

The Craft Spectrum position paper highlights nine areas of influence in craft, rather than a stoic, single definition. Craft is holistic. It is alive, always adapting to our nature and culture. We’re excited to present this easy-to-digest document with real-world examples to help introduce newcomers to the broad experience of Canadian craftspeople.

See also, our 2015 document: “How Can You Support the Craft Sector?” which includes a brief description of the craft sector alongside short, clear suggestions for how to support the sector.

In early August 2021, the CCF/FCMA submitted a formal brief to the Federal Standing Committee on Finance, with specific recommendations on what the government should do to ensure a safe and thriving future for craft in Canada. Limited to just 2000 words, the CCF/FCMA put forward six recommendations to adapt and expand existing programming, amend policies, and invest in underrepresented arts communities to increase equity and financial stability in the cultural sector. This included specific recommendations to implement a basic income program, , develop a new internship/mentorship program for emerging and mid-career/senior artists, increase funding to address systemic racism in the arts, and investment in creative digital innovation.

In 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2020, the CCF/FCMA submitted recommendations to the Federal Standing Committee on Finance in order to express our belief in the contribution of craft to the Canadian economy. Each document explains the Craft sector and its impact, and outlines several recommendations to improve the Canadian economy by investing in Craft.

These documents are useful to anyone who wants to arm themselves with facts, quotes, and detailed information on the economic benefits of the Craft sector.

Download:

The Visual Arts Alliance is a consortium of national visual, media, and craft arts service organizations comprised of artists, curators, art museums, artist-run centres and art dealers, brought together by the Visual Arts Summit in November, 2007. The group’s objective is for many voices to speak simultaneously with a common message, and to support and advise one another when an issue arises involving multiple parties of interest.

 

The Canadian Arts Coalition is a collaborative advocacy group formed by national arts organizations and other members. It successfully lobbies for increased support and funding for the arts through the Canada Council for the Arts and the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Tariff Position Paper

Protecting Canada’s Craft Sector in the Face of Growing Trade Barriers

Canadian craftspeople are being priced out of their own markets. As international trade tensions escalate, the makers who shape our cultural identity are becoming unintended casualties of economic policy. Tariffs imposed on cross-border goods threaten the livelihoods of Canadian craftspeople and small business owners. Many are small, independent enterprises that already face the pressures of an unstable creative economy. As Canada navigates complex international trade relations, we cannot ignore the vulnerability of the craft sector—a vital part of our commercial strength and cultural identity.

The Value of Craft 

Craft is both a thriving cultural practice and a strong economic driver.  The latest data from Statistics Canada shows that the craft sector contributed approximately $2,770,570,000 to Canada’s GDP and created 29,991 jobs in 2023. This significant economic contribution highlights the importance of supporting and investing in the craft sector to foster economic development and cultural richness in Canada. From Indigenous beadwork to contemporary ceramics to fine cabinetmaking, Canadian craftspeople enrich both domestic and international markets with culturally significant, expertly made goods. Many operate in hybrid marketplaces, relying on both physical presence and digital platforms to reach customers—particularly in the United States.

The Risk of Tariffs

The Canadian Craft Federation (CCF/FCMA) represents professional craft organizations from coast to coast to coast, and advocates for craft from this unique perspective. A recent survey of CCF/FCMA members found that two-thirds of respondents rely on sales to the U.S. market, and one-quarter report earning up to 99% of their income from these transactions. Importantly, beyond the cost of tariffs, the instability of the current trade environment has suppressed demand and triggered a marked downturn in sales throughout the craft sector. 78% describe being adversely affected by tariffs, political uncertainty, or economic instability. Current and anticipated tariffs threaten not only the ability of craft businesses to access affordable supplies but also jeopardize the sale of finished works and reduce overall market access.

Craft-based businesses are essential contributors to Canada’s cultural fabric and entrepreneurial ecosystem. They are disproportionately impacted by broad trade policy measures that fail to account for their unique, low-volume, high-skill production models. Craft is more than commerce—it is a living expression of heritage, knowledge, and community.

Our Recommendations

As the national body representing Canadian craft, the CCF urges federal and provincial governments to act. This includes:

  1. Advocating for the removal of U.S. tariffs on handmade and low-volume Canadian craft goods.
  2. Exempting Canadian craft small businesses from retaliatory tariffs on raw materials.
  3. Assisting craft small businesses to advance interprovincial trade through easily accessible business development programs.
  4. Developing international markets for the craft sector through targeted funding, export support and educational programs
  5. Supporting Indigenous artists and cultural practices within trade frameworks with direct financial support and guidance that aligns with the Jay Treaty. 
  6. Investing in infrastructure and education to help the craft sector thrive at home and abroad.

Our craftspeople should not be collateral damage in trade disputes. It’s time we recognize their value and protect their future.

Protecting Canada’s Craft Sector: A Letter Writing Campaign

As international trade tensions escalate, Canada’s craft sector is facing growing pressures. The Canadian Craft Federation launched a national letter writing campaign, urging craftspeople and craft advocates to contact their local representatives. The message is clear: tariffs and trade instability are pricing Canadian makers out of vital markets—particularly the U.S.—and putting livelihoods at risk.

This open letter outlines the urgent challenges facing the sector and presents key policy recommendations to support its continued success at home and abroad. 

Add your voice. Sign the open letter and send it to your local MP to help protect the future of Canadian craft here. 

Send a Letter to Your MP

The Craft Spectrum position paper highlights nine areas of influence in craft, rather than a stoic, single definition. Craft is holistic. It is alive, always adapting to our nature and culture. We’re excited to present this easy-to-digest document with real-world examples to help introduce newcomers to the broad experience of Canadian craftspeople.

See also, our 2015 document: “How Can You Support the Craft Sector?” which includes a brief description of the craft sector alongside short, clear suggestions for how to support the sector.

In early August 2021, the CCF/FCMA submitted a formal brief to the Federal Standing Committee on Finance, with specific recommendations on what the government should do to ensure a safe and thriving future for craft in Canada. Limited to just 2000 words, the CCF/FCMA put forward six recommendations to adapt and expand existing programming, amend policies, and invest in underrepresented arts communities to increase equity and financial stability in the cultural sector. This included specific recommendations to implement a basic income program, , develop a new internship/mentorship program for emerging and mid-career/senior artists, increase funding to address systemic racism in the arts, and investment in creative digital innovation.

In 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2020, the CCF/FCMA submitted recommendations to the Federal Standing Committee on Finance in order to express our belief in the contribution of craft to the Canadian economy. Each document explains the Craft sector and its impact, and outlines several recommendations to improve the Canadian economy by investing in Craft.

These documents are useful to anyone who wants to arm themselves with facts, quotes, and detailed information on the economic benefits of the Craft sector.

Download:

The Visual Arts Alliance is a consortium of national visual, media, and craft arts service organizations comprised of artists, curators, art museums, artist-run centres and art dealers, brought together by the Visual Arts Summit in November, 2007. The group’s objective is for many voices to speak simultaneously with a common message, and to support and advise one another when an issue arises involving multiple parties of interest.

 

The Canadian Arts Coalition is a collaborative advocacy group formed by national arts organizations and other members. It successfully lobbies for increased support and funding for the arts through the Canada Council for the Arts and the Department of Canadian Heritage.