Latest news with #OCanada
Cision Canada
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
SOCAN Members Elect 2025 Board Directors as 100th Anniversary Celebrations Continue Français
SOCAN honoured with Music Publishers Canada Industry Builder Award. , May 28, 2025 /CNW/ - SOCAN has announced the results of its 2025 Board of Directors election, following a voting period that ran from April 30 through May 21, concluding after the organization's Annual General Meeting (AGM). Votes were cast by eligible SOCAN songwriter, composer, and music publisher members to elect directors for the 2025-2028 term. Held both online and in Toronto, this year's AGM marked SOCAN's 100th anniversary and featured a state-of-affairs address from SOCAN leadership, alongside a compelling panel on artificial intelligence with Léo Boisvert of the Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute. Chair of the Board Marc Ouellette and CEO Jennifer Brown shared updates on SOCAN's record-breaking financial results and highlighted strategic priorities for the year ahead. As part of the reception, SOCAN was honoured by Music Publishers Canada with the Industry Builder Award. Presented annually as a custom-designed paddle painted by songwriter Tom Wilson, this year's award featured the lyrics to "O Canada" on the back, a tribute to SOCAN's impact on the Canadian music publishing industry. "At SOCAN, we often speak about the value of true partnerships, and our relationship with Music Publishers Canada exemplifies that," said Jennifer Brown, CEO SOCAN. "To be recognized with a Tom Wilson paddle, a symbol of building and strengthening Canada's music publishing community, is an incredible honour, and we are truly grateful." In 2025, there were three writer director positions, and three publisher director positions up for election consistent with an annual board election cycle, where six director positions are up for election each year. The following people were elected for three-year terms. Representing SOCAN Music Writer Members (alphabetically by last name): Darren Fung (west) (audiovisual) * Greg Johnston (east) Marc Ouellette (Québec) (Francophone) * Representing SOCAN Music Publisher Members (alphabetically by company name): Cheryl Link (east) peermusic Canada Inc. * David Quilico (east) Sony Music Publishing Canada Jean-François Denis (Québec) (Francophone) YMX Media * * Incumbent "Congratulations and a welcome to our newly elected board directors," said Brown. "Your leadership, experience, and diverse perspectives will be essential as SOCAN continues to grow, innovate, and serve our members and the broader creative community. The management team looks forward to working closely with the entire 2025-2026 Board, confident that together we will chart a bold and meaningful path forward." The SOCAN Board of Directors is composed entirely of songwriters, composers, and music publishers - the very individuals SOCAN exists to represent. There are 18 seats total – nine writer directors and nine publisher directors, with regional, cultural, and audiovisual representation. 2025-2026 SOCAN Board of Directors continuing their terms: Representing SOCAN Music Writer Members: Lesley Barber (east) (audiovisual) David Bussières (Québec) (Francophone) Troy Kokol (west) Laurence Lafond-Beaulne (Québec) (Francophone) Stan Meissner (east) Sarah Slean (east) Representing SOCAN Music Publisher Members: Jennifer Beavis (east) BMG Rights Management Canada Mark Jowett (west) Nettwerk Music Group Jason Klein (east) Anthem Entertainment Daniel Lafrance (Québec) (Francophone) Éditorial Avenue Jennifer Mitchell (east) Casablanca Media Publishing Diane Pinet (Québec) (Francophone) Bloc-Notes Music Publishing The 2025-2026 SOCAN board of directors will hold its first meeting in June and elect the president of the board and other officers. You can find SOCAN's 2024 annual report on 2024 Annual Report. About SOCAN For 100 years, SOCAN has been Canada's largest member-owned music rights organization, resolutely upholding the fundamental truth that music has value. SOCAN collects license fees for the public performance and reproduction of music, matches them to rights holders, and distributes them as royalties to music creators and publishers in Canada and around the world. With a century of expertise and innovation, SOCAN continues to advocate fair compensation for the work of its nearly 200,000 songwriter, composer, and music publisher members. Learn more at
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
SOCAN Members Elect 2025 Board Directors as 100th Anniversary Celebrations Continue
SOCAN honoured with Music Publishers Canada Industry Builder Award. TORONTO, May 28, 2025 /CNW/ - SOCAN has announced the results of its 2025 Board of Directors election, following a voting period that ran from April 30 through May 21, concluding after the organization's Annual General Meeting (AGM). Votes were cast by eligible SOCAN songwriter, composer, and music publisher members to elect directors for the 2025-2028 term. Held both online and in Toronto, this year's AGM marked SOCAN's 100th anniversary and featured a state-of-affairs address from SOCAN leadership, alongside a compelling panel on artificial intelligence with Léo Boisvert of the Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute. Chair of the Board Marc Ouellette and CEO Jennifer Brown shared updates on SOCAN's record-breaking financial results and highlighted strategic priorities for the year ahead. As part of the reception, SOCAN was honoured by Music Publishers Canada with the Industry Builder Award. Presented annually as a custom-designed paddle painted by songwriter Tom Wilson, this year's award featured the lyrics to "O Canada" on the back, a tribute to SOCAN's impact on the Canadian music publishing industry. "At SOCAN, we often speak about the value of true partnerships, and our relationship with Music Publishers Canada exemplifies that," said Jennifer Brown, CEO SOCAN. "To be recognized with a Tom Wilson paddle, a symbol of building and strengthening Canada's music publishing community, is an incredible honour, and we are truly grateful." In 2025, there were three writer director positions, and three publisher director positions up for election consistent with an annual board election cycle, where six director positions are up for election each year. The following people were elected for three-year terms. Representing SOCAN Music Writer Members (alphabetically by last name): Darren Fung (west) (audiovisual) * Greg Johnston (east) Marc Ouellette (Québec) (Francophone) * Representing SOCAN Music Publisher Members (alphabetically by company name): Cheryl Link (east) peermusic Canada Inc. * David Quilico (east) Sony Music Publishing Canada Jean-François Denis (Québec) (Francophone) YMX Media * * Incumbent "Congratulations and a welcome to our newly elected board directors," said Brown. "Your leadership, experience, and diverse perspectives will be essential as SOCAN continues to grow, innovate, and serve our members and the broader creative community. The management team looks forward to working closely with the entire 2025-2026 Board, confident that together we will chart a bold and meaningful path forward." The SOCAN Board of Directors is composed entirely of songwriters, composers, and music publishers - the very individuals SOCAN exists to represent. There are 18 seats total – nine writer directors and nine publisher directors, with regional, cultural, and audiovisual representation. 2025-2026 SOCAN Board of Directors continuing their terms: Representing SOCAN Music Writer Members: Lesley Barber (east) (audiovisual) David Bussières (Québec) (Francophone) Troy Kokol (west) Laurence Lafond-Beaulne (Québec) (Francophone) Stan Meissner (east) Sarah Slean (east) Representing SOCAN Music Publisher Members: Jennifer Beavis (east) BMG Rights Management Canada Mark Jowett (west) Nettwerk Music Group Jason Klein (east) Anthem Entertainment Daniel Lafrance (Québec) (Francophone) Éditorial Avenue Jennifer Mitchell (east) Casablanca Media Publishing Diane Pinet (Québec) (Francophone) Bloc-Notes Music Publishing The 2025-2026 SOCAN board of directors will hold its first meeting in June and elect the president of the board and other officers. You can find SOCAN's 2024 annual report on 2024 Annual Report. About SOCAN For 100 years, SOCAN has been Canada's largest member-owned music rights organization, resolutely upholding the fundamental truth that music has value. SOCAN collects license fees for the public performance and reproduction of music, matches them to rights holders, and distributes them as royalties to music creators and publishers in Canada and around the world. With a century of expertise and innovation, SOCAN continues to advocate fair compensation for the work of its nearly 200,000 songwriter, composer, and music publisher members. Learn more at SOURCE SOCAN View original content: Sign in to access your portfolio
International Business Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- International Business Times
Trump Claims Canada Is 'Considering' Joining the US as 51st State in Exchange of Free Entry to Its Golden Dome Missile Defense System
President Donald Trump extended an online proposal to Canada, offering it free entry into his multi-billion-dollar Golden Dome missile defense system — but only if Canada agreed to cease being an independent nation and joins the United States. Trump made the claim hours after King Charles III rebuked the U.S. president's push to annex Canada during a speech to Canada's parliament in Ottawa. "I told Canada, which very much wants to be part of our fabulous Golden Dome System, that it will cost $61 Billion Dollars if they remain a separate, but unequal, Nation, but will cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State," Trump wrote on Truth Social. Trump Continues His Pressure on Canada "They are considering the offer!" he added. This comes days after Trump enthusiastically praised the new missile defense system, which he claimed would protect the entire country and continent with nearly "100 percent" accuracy. "We're going to have it at the highest level," Trump said. "Canada has called us and they want to be a part of it," Trump added. However, his wording suggested ongoing frustration, stating, "as always, we help Canada as best we can." The line appeared to revive Trump's frequent complaints about the U.S. bearing the cost of defending Canada. The "big, beautiful bill" that narrowly passed in the House includes $25 billion for the defense program, though some estimates suggest the total cost could reach $500 billion due to the vast area it aims to cover. "We're talking about $175 billion total cost when it's completed," Trump said, brushing off skeptics. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called it a 'game changer." When asked whether top military officials supported the plan, Trump replied, "I suggested it and they all said, 'We love the idea sir.' That's the way it's supposed to be, right?" Trump Remains Adamant Trump's post about Canada came the same day King Charles echoed a phrase from the Canadian national anthem, calling the country "strong and free." "As the anthem reminds us, True North is indeed strong and free," Charles said in a speech to mark the opening session of Canada's parliament, quoting from 'O Canada." King Charles also highlighted the strong economic and security ties between the U.S. and Canada, describing the relationship as built on "mutual respect." The speech was crafted by Prime Minister Mark Carney's office, and Carney later shared a video clip of the address, which ended with enthusiastic applause for the King. Trump had previously hosted Carney at the White House, following a string of jabs at former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom he often mocked as a "governor" in public remarks and social media posts. The meeting signaled a possible easing of tensions after Canadian crowds booed the U.S. National Anthem at hockey games in response to Trump's aggressive rhetoric and threats. Trump has consistently claimed that Canadians would benefit from lower taxes and an improved standard of living if they became part of the United States. At the same time, he imposed tariffs on Canada and other countries, insisting that the U.S. doesn't "need" Canadian goods such as lumber, automobiles, or other exports.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
King Charles Signals Canadian Strength to Trump
Britain's King Charles III and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney look on during the opening the first session of the 45th Parliament of Canada at the Senate of Canada in Ottawa on May 27, 2025. Britain's King Charles III is heading to Canada for a brief but "impactful" visit, at a time when President Donald Trump is floating the idea of making his northern neighbour the 51st US state. The 76-year-old monarch, who is also Canada's head of state as part of the Commonwealth, has never publicly commented on the ambitions of the U.S. president, a noted admirer of the royal family. Credit - Blair Gable/POOL—AFP/Getty Images King Charles III is not just monarch of the United Kingdom, he is also the putative ruler of 14 other Commonwealth realms—including Canada. In that role, he paid a heavily freighted visit to his northern realm this week to deliver a message to the leader of the republic to the south. In an act of prime ministerial ventriloquism, Prime Minister Mark Carney had Charles deliver Canada's throne speech, a ceremony in which elected politicians sit humbly in the presence of a ceremonial figurehead who reads words written by the politician who is actually in charge. Normally, this duty is discharged by the governor general, a Canadian who represents the monarch in Canada. Mary Simon—Canada's first Indigenous governor general—would, in the normal course of events, read the speech in a little-noticed event in the sleepy Senate chamber. But these are not normal circumstances. Rather than having Simon do the job, Carney had Charles and Queen Camilla fly in, travel to Parliament Hill in a horse-drawn carriage behind an honour guard of Mounties in a show of regal pageantry not seen in the capital since Charles' late mother, Elizabeth, opened Parliament in 1977. Charles's presence in Ottawa was unusual. It was his 21st trip to Canada, but the first time in which he appeared in Parliament to kick off a parliamentary session with a throne speech. There was a happy and friendly crowd there to greet the royal visitors, breaking out into impromptu rounds of 'O Canada' as they waited for the royal procession, but the monarchical fever has not spread far beyond the parliamentary precinct. Most Canadians have apathetic, if not negative, feelings about the monarchy, an institution that seems increasingly distant as the country's cultural links to Great Britain grow weaker. A poll this week found that 83% of Canadians 'don't really care,' about Charles's visit. But the seemingly archaic constitutional structures suddenly looked useful to the people running the country. Because President Donald Trump has been threatening to annex Canada, something that he seems to believe was possible given Canada's comparatively small military, Canadians have been by turns fretful and intent on showing their resolve. Inevitably, they looked for support from the mother country, home of their head of state. But UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer has been criticized for repeatedly failing to speak up for Canadian independence. His ministers apparently pleaded with Canada to keep Charles from saying anything that might damage the relationship with the UK. But Charles is the king of Canada, as well as the UK, and Starmer could not have stopped him from going, even if he wanted to do so. When Starmer himself visited the White House in February, hunting for a trade deal, his perfunctory gift was an invitation from the King for Trump, who described Charles as a 'beautiful man, a wonderful man.' Having observed Trump's taste for all things gold and royal, Carney used Charles to send a clear signal to Trump: the King is with us. Charles, who is strictly limited by long constitutional tradition on what he can say about anything political (practically nothing) repeatedly demonstrated his support for Canada with coded symbols—at least until he could show up in person and deliver the message in person. Carney, speaking through Charles, acknowledged that 'many Canadians are feeling anxious and worried about the drastically changing world around.' Through his presence, Charles reminded Canadians that Canada has a different, and independent, constitutional tradition. Through his words, he sent a signal to Trump, who Carney likely hoped was paying attention. 'We must be clear-eyed: the world is a more dangerous and uncertain place than at any point since the Second World War,' Charles said, switching easily between English and French. 'Canada is facing challenges that are unprecedented in our lifetimes." There followed a recitation of Carney's to-do list—including faster approvals for energy projects and an ambitious home-building program—before he circled back to deliver the main message again: "As the anthem reminds us: The True North is indeed strong and free." The words came from Carney, but the Canadians were hoping that the intended recipient of the message, in the White House, will get the message: Canadians don't want to be annexed. Early in his second term, Trump seemed to hope for a groundswell of annexationist sentiment north of the border. However, there are now indications that Trump has realized that his northern neighbours would like to stick with their royal, perhaps albeit antiquated, traditions—and with their sovereignty. In a tense but successful visit to the Oval Office earlier this month, Carney pointed out that some properties never go on the market: "We're sitting in one right now, Buckingham Palace that you visited, as well. And having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign the last several months, it's not for sale, it won't be for sale, ever." Trump responded by saying 'never say never.' But his new ambassador to Ottawa, Pete Hoekstra, has said that his marching orders have nothing to do with annexation, which suggests the American president may be ready to move on. It would be foolish to predict how Trump will respond, or whether he will even notice, but Canadians and their monarch have done what they could to send the American president a clear message about their sovereignty. Canada already has a King, and it's not Trump. Contact us at letters@
Time Magazine
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time Magazine
Carney Taps King Charles to Signal Canadian Strength to Trump
King Charles III is not just monarch of the United Kingdom, he is also the putative ruler of 14 other Commonwealth realms—including Canada. In that role, he paid a heavily freighted visit to his northern realm this week to deliver a message to the leader of the republic to the south. In an act of prime ministerial ventriloquism, Prime Minister Mark Carney had Charles deliver Canada's throne speech, a ceremony in which elected politicians sit humbly in the presence of a ceremonial figurehead who reads words written by the politician who is actually in charge. Normally, this duty is discharged by the governor general, a Canadian who represents the monarch in Canada. Mary Simon—Canada's first Indigenous governor general—would, in the normal course of events, read the speech in a little-noticed event in the sleepy Senate chamber. But these are not normal circumstances. Rather than having Simon do the job, Carney had Charles and Queen Camilla fly in, travel to Parliament Hill in a horse-drawn carriage behind an honour guard of Mounties in a show of regal pageantry not seen in the capital since Charles' late mother, Elizabeth, opened Parliament in 1977. Charles's presence in Ottawa was unusual. It was his 21st trip to Canada, but the first time in which he appeared in Parliament to kick off a parliamentary session with a throne speech. There was a happy and friendly crowd there to greet the royal visitors, breaking out into impromptu rounds of 'O Canada' as they waited for the royal procession, but the monarchical fever has not spread far beyond the parliamentary precinct. Most Canadians have apathetic, if not negative, feelings about the monarchy, an institution that seems increasingly distant as the country's cultural links to Great Britain grow weaker. A poll this week found that 83% of Canadians 'don't really care,' about Charles's visit. But the seemingly archaic constitutional structures suddenly looked useful to the people running the country. Because President Donald Trump has been threatening to annex Canada, something that he seems to believe was possible given Canada's comparatively small military, Canadians have been by turns fretful and intent on showing their resolve. Inevitably, they looked for support from the mother country, home of their head of state. But UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer has been criticized for repeatedly failing to speak up for Canadian independence. His ministers apparently pleaded with Canada to keep Charles from saying anything that might damage the relationship with the UK. But Charles is the king of Canada, as well as the UK, and Starmer could not have stopped him from going, even if he wanted to do so. When Starmer himself visited the White House in February, hunting for a trade deal, his perfunctory gift was an invitation from the King for Trump, who described Charles as a 'beautiful man, a wonderful man.' Having observed Trump's taste for all things gold and royal, Carney used Charles to send a clear signal to Trump: the King is with us. Charles, who is strictly limited by long constitutional tradition on what he can say about anything political (practically nothing) repeatedly demonstrated his support for Canada with coded symbols —at least until he could show up in person and deliver the message in person. Carney, speaking through Charles, acknowledged that 'many Canadians are feeling anxious and worried about the drastically changing world around.' Through his presence, Charles reminded Canadians that Canada has a different, and independent, constitutional tradition. Through his words, he sent a signal to Trump, who Carney likely hoped was paying attention. 'We must be clear-eyed: the world is a more dangerous and uncertain place than at any point since the Second World War,' Charles said, switching easily between English and French. 'Canada is facing challenges that are unprecedented in our lifetimes." There followed a recitation of Carney's to-do list—including faster approvals for energy projects and an ambitious home-building program—before he circled back to deliver the main message again: "As the anthem reminds us: The True North is indeed strong and free." The words came from Carney, but the Canadians were hoping that the intended recipient of the message, in the White House, will get the message: Canadians don't want to be annexed. Early in his second term, Trump seemed to hope for a groundswell of annexationist sentiment north of the border. However, there are now indications that Trump has realized that his northern neighbours would like to stick with their royal, perhaps albeit antiquated, traditions—and with their sovereignty. In a tense but successful visit to the Oval Office earlier this month, Carney pointed out that some properties never go on the market: "We're sitting in one right now, Buckingham Palace that you visited, as well. And having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign the last several months, it's not for sale, it won't be for sale, ever." Trump responded by saying 'never say never.' But his new ambassador to Ottawa, Pete Hoekstra, has said that his marching orders have nothing to do with annexation, which suggests the American president may be ready to move on. It would be foolish to predict how Trump will respond, or whether he will even notice, but Canadians and their monarch have done what they could to send the American president a clear message about their sovereignty. Canada already has a King, and it's not Trump.
