This special page will be updated regularly.

Consult here our Red Zone FAQ.

Congratulations to all our members who have received ADISQ nominations for the Industry Gala, Premier Gala and ADISQ Gala!

See all our nominated members here.

We are glad to send you the new edition of Entracte, fall 2020. This edition will be specially dedicated to the COVID-19 crisis which is shaking up our world.

For more than three months now, all shows and concerts in Quebec have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Here is a look at the action the GMMQ has taken since the beginning of the crisis (March 13, the date that gatherings of more than 250 people were banned) to support musicians at this difficult time and advocate to the government on their behalf. (in french)

The Fédération des harmonies et des orchestres symphoniques du Québec (FHOSQ), Fédération des associations de musiciens éducateurs du Québec (FAMEQ), Alliance chorale du Québec, Conseil Québécois de la musique (CQM), Centre des musiciens du monde, Arts en mouvements, Jeunesses musicales Canada and Guilde des musiciens et musiciennes du Québec (GMMQ) have joined forces to deliver a joint message to Quebec’s Minister of Education: music classes in elementary and secondary schools must resume in the 2020-2021 school year.
Discover 3 actions to support the cause !

« Excellent news, from August 3, the maximum number of people allowed for indoor and outdoor events will drop from 50 to 250 people, while respecting hygiene and physical distancing instructions. This is a big step forward for live music and the performing arts, the long-awaited first step in a gradual resumption of activities in the performing arts. »

On May 7, during a virtual parliamentary debate with members of the opposition at the height of the crisis that had paralyzed cultural life for the last two months, the Minister of Culture stated that “we must reinvent Culture.” While it is difficult to know exactly what the minister was thinking, many artists reacted badly to this declaration, which strongly implied that the future of culture primarily lay in the virtual sphere. Subsequent announcements of significant investments in digital cultural projects appeared to confirm their impression. But this is not a reinvention; rather, it is a temporary fix while we await the return of live audiences. Culture does not need to be told to reinvent itself – it has done so continuously since the time of the ancient Greeks.

At Dr. Arruda’s press briefing on June 25, the gradual reopening of nearly all sectors of the economy was announced. One of the only sectors that has still not been permitted to resume is festivals and large gatherings, with the public health authorities being very clear on this point. Unfortunately, there was no mention of performance venues or of increasing their capacity to 250 spectators.

Although the CERB has been extended for eight additional weeks (as announced on June 16), many artists, freelance journalists and cultural, arts and event workers will still be unable to return to work at the end of this period. It is crucial to start looking ahead to the fall.

Help is available for musicians who have suffered major losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or natural disasters.

Read here the document (in french).

This survey is for professional musicians. Its purpose is to assess the proportion of professional musicians who are not eligible for CERB. We would also like to know if some have been able to maintain part of their activity by adapting it. Thank you for your answers and your sharing.

The GMMQ welcomes the Government of Canada’s announcement offering a benefit of $2,000 per month for four months to all workers who have lost their source of income due to the COVID-19 crisis. This measure applies to self-employed individuals, a common work status for Quebec musicians. Since the start of the crisis, the GMMQ estimates that its members have lost $750,000. “The federal government’s new assistance program will not, however, cover our members’ financial losses incurred since March 12. We are still awaiting the concrete measures promised by the Ministère de la Culture that would compensate our artists for cancelled concerts and shows,” said Luc Fortin, GMMQ president.

SaveLiveArts.ca is an initiative started by Canadian Actors' Equity Association (CAEA), Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM / AFM), Toronto Musicians' Association (TMA) and the Guilde des musiciens et musiciennes du Québec (GMMQ) in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.  We understand that without government intervention Covid-19 will continue to have a detrimental effect on the social and economic well being of the people and companies in the live arts.  We welcome signatures and partnership from any Canadian company or individual working in the live arts.  For more information or to make suggestions for the initiative you can email savelivearts@tma149.ca

Dear GMMQ members,

In these extraordinary circumstances in which we find ourselves, we are all being bombarded with information from every direction. We ask that you always verify the source of the media content you consult

Dear GMMQ members,

Many of you have sent us documents related to performances that have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis, and we are grateful.

Dear GMMQ members,
 

The COVID-19 situation is evolving rapidly and hourly.
We fully understand and share your concerns. The current situation is unprecedented. Please know that the cultural community is working together to find the best possible solutions quickly. We are actively working with UDA, AQTIS, AQAD, APASQ, the Ministère de la Culture, SODEC, the CALQ and producers’ associations.

Chers collègues musiciens et musiciennes,

J’ai participé à un échange très satisfaisant cet après-midi avec des membres du cabinet de la ministre de la Culture Nathalie Roy, la ministre elle-même, et des représentants des grandes associations d’artistes, de producteurs, de diffuseurs, du CALQ et de la SODEC.

The GGMQ anticipates the issue of vacation payments for members who have had contracts with ADISQ (live and recording agreement). The process will starts now.

Dear members,
Yesterday at noon, Québec Premier François Legault announced a number of measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). One of these measures concerns indoor gatherings of more than 250 people. The premier requested that organizers cancel these events, as well as any other events that are not considered essential.

Please note that the GMMQ is closely monitoring the development of the COVID-19 epidemic. We are aware of your questions and concerns, and are studying the situation seriously in order to provide you with the best possible answers. Stay tuned, an official communication will follow. Thank you for your patience