
Nearly a year after its launch, the Cultural Land Trust (CLT) concludes its initial conceptual phase with the completion of two reports and the pursuit of seed funding—hoping to accelerate non-profit ownership of six cultural properties by 2027 and 30 by 2050.
The two reports include: a jurisdictional scan of cultural infrastructure across BC, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec, commissioned by the province of BC, will provide in-depth analysis on how the CLT might positively impact the real estate market; and, a legal and financial voluntary tax model to invest in Indigenous reciprocity within the trust.
The anticipation of the findings in these reports positioned the CLT as one of Stir’s 5 Arts and Culture Stories to Watch for in 2025, alongside several hyperlocal updates and initiatives, including a feasibility study for a purpose-built, three-theatre complex.
In an update to The Globe & Mail, 221A Executive Director, Brian McBay, said the jurisdictional scan confirms the CLT “could recycle those funds back into the arts sector if someone could put up financing to get properties out of the speculative real estate market.”
“The BC NDP has included expanded Arts Infrastructure as part of their platform,” Brian is quoted. “But we also know that there are high budget pressures facing the province in this shortened budget cycle, so we are focusing on strengthening the economic argument for a Cultural Land Trust.”

Brian participated in a series of community conversations at the 2nd Annual Canadian Urban Institute State of Canada’s Cities Summit to discuss roadmaps to community control of properties through a collective model, and offering a long-term vision of stable rents, long-term leases, and pathways to ownership for non-profit arts organizations, especially for Indigenous, Black, and racialized, and queer, trans and non-binary peoples.
Seated on two panels—Culture Is Infrastructure: The Role of People, Identity, and Our Social Fabric and Arts-Led City Building: How Arts and Culture Strengthen Cities—Brian discussed the importance of providing space to create collective memories and compensation mechanisms that bring historically marginalized artists to the forefront. He also spoke about how the arts can be integrated into urban development strategies through placemaking, policymaking, and activation.
“When property is purchased, redistribution happens—that’s also where the question of landback and contestation around Indigenous ownership can be brought to bear,” said Brian. “A big part of our work is bringing communities together, so that folks would be able to express themselves in their identity formation. In this sense, culture is survival.”
Watch Culture Is Infrastructure: The Role of People, Identity, and Our Social Fabric at the 2nd Annual Canadian Urban Institute State of Canada’s Cities Summit. Featuring Brian McBay, 221A Executive Director alongside Isabelle Mondou, Ottawa, Heritage Canada, Monique Simard, Montreal, Partenariat du Quartier des spectacles, Kelly Langgard, Toronto, Toronto Arts Council & Toronto Arts Foundation and moderated by Jamie Bennett, Toronto, Lord Cultural Resources.