CARFAC and RAAV, the national associations representing visual artists in Canada, are extremely happy to see the Artist’s Resale Right (ARR) in the Federal Budget.
Visual artists' contributions to Canadian culture and the economy cannot be overstated. Despite their significant impact, artists are among the lowest income earners in Canada. The Artist’s Resale Right would provide creators of original visual artworks with a royalty each time their work is resold through an eligible sale, creating an additional source of income.
In Budget 2025, the government announced its intent to amend the Copyright Act to create an Artist’s Resale Right in Canada, ensuring Canadian visual artists benefit from future sales of their work. That legislation didn’t materialize, so we are encouraged by this announcement and look forward to seeing the legislation passed soon.
“We are heartened to see the Artist’s Resale Right included again in the federal budget. More than 100 countries have adopted ARR legislation worldwide, so it’s great to see Canada acknowledge this commitment to implement ARR”, said Jenna Faye Powell, Interim National Executive Director of CARFAC.
On behalf of Canadian artists, we thank the Canadian Government, and especially the Ministers of Canadian Identity and Culture, Industry, and Finance for renewing their commitment to moving this forward. The ARR will provide necessary and well-deserved financial support and recognition for artists’ lifetime contributions to the fabric of Canadian culture.
“Importantly, many living artists will see the direct benefits of this legislative amendment when this commitment is fulfilled; it’s a common misconception that the Artist’s Resale Right will only benefit artists posthumously. In fact, thousands of living Canadian artists will have more secure livelihoods as a result of this initiative. ARR allows artists to benefit from the value of their own work, the result of their labour, creativity, and efforts. This is just one of the many reasons we are, of course, thrilled to see this commitment in Budget 2026,” said Jenna Faye Powell.
BACKGROUND
The Artist’s Resale Right is a royalty that allows artists to share in the wealth they generate in the marketplace. It will align Canada with over 100 countries around the world that already have ARR legislation. Many of those laws provide for visual artists to receive 5% when their work is resold in the secondary market through an intermediary such as an auction house or commercial gallery.
The ARR helps artists benefit from the ongoing commercial success of their art. It will immensely help many mid-career and senior artists who have worked for years in the industry, and often face financial difficulties later in life. It is also of particular benefit to Indigenous artists, who have too often been exploited in the secondary art market.
“Most visual artists earn modest incomes, and many see their work sell for far more years later without any benefit to them,” said Ansfrid Tchetchenigbo, Interim Executive Director of the Regroupement des artistes en arts visuels du Québec (RAAV). “We welcome the government’s decision to include the Resale Right in Budget 2026 as it is a major step toward fairness for the people who create Canada’s visual culture, and look forward to working together so the measure is implemented swiftly and in a way that truly serves artists.”
CARFAC and RAAV eagerly await Parliament's approval of the Budget and look forward to seeing the government’s plan for implementing this much-needed legislation in Canada, and we look forward to sharing that information with our community.
For further comment or to be connected with artists for potential impact statements, please email Jenna Faye Powell, director@carfac.ca