Spotify is raising its prices in Canada once again.
Starting in July, most of the major streaming platform’s premium services will rise $1 to $3 per month.
According to an email sent to premium Spotify Canada users, the price increases vary on account type, with the student account remaining the same price ($6.39), plus tax.
“This change means we can invest more in Premium. We are always working to improve Premium and deliver the best possible experience for you,” the email reads, linking to Canada’s premium offerings.
A Spotify spokesperson tells Billboard Canada: “Occasional updates to pricing across our markets reflect the value that Spotify delivers, enabling us to continue offering the best possible experience and benefit artists,” but doesn’t expand on what exactly triggered the increase.
In recent years, Spotify has often re-evaluated its prices and royalty models, notably making changes to its revenue share payouts, which have de-monetized songs receiving fewer than 1,000 plays per year. In 2026, Billboard Canada reported that Canadian artists earned $544 million in royalties on Spotify.
Recently, the DSP celebrated its 20th anniversary by opening the vault for listeners to see the first-ever song they’ve streamed, along with their most-played tracks and top-streamed artist.
This serves as the first major price hike for the Canadian arm of the streaming platform in nearly two years. During the last rise in 2024, it appeared to be partially inspired by the “streaming tax” implemented in the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)’s 2024 decision with the Online Streaming Act.
The Canadian tribunal stated that foreign-owned media companies that operate in Canada and generate over $25 million in revenue would be required to pay 5% of those revenues into Canadian content funds. In response, many streamers — including Spotify, Apple and Amazon — took action to challenge the now-paused legislation that has become a hot button topic in today’s Canadian music industry.
“As we continue to innovate and invest in providing our listeners with greater value than ever before, we occasionally update our prices,” a spokesperson for Spotify told Billboard Canada back in 2024. “We may also adjust our prices to reflect local macroeconomic factors and meet market demands while offering an unparalleled service,” noting that they would not publicly comment further on the “legal challenge against the CRTC streaming tax in Canada.”
Read more here. — Heather Taylor-Singh
Executive of the Week: FACTOR’s Meg Symsyk on Why Supporting Canadian Music Means Supporting Cultural Sovereignty
When it comes to supporting Canadian music, FACTOR’s influence is immeasurable. One of the most crucial funders of art in the country, the non-profit’s impact is seen with its logo across countless acclaimed records and its name shouted out at concerts and award shows. But for president & CEO Meg Symsyk, it’s not just about supporting Canadian music or even Canadian artists: it’s about the sovereignty and identity of the country itself.
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“Buying locally is more important than ever because of that consumer awareness and structural support. Canadians need to be encouraged to be more intentional. This last year and a half with the tariffs and the trade wars has put that on everyone’s front burner,” she explains.
The company recently announced $2 million in funding for live music. At a time when streaming has upended the way artists can get paid, supporting live music is more important than ever. It’s part of FACTOR’s mission to support the Canadian-owned music sector and give companies the chance to compete both at home and on the world stage.
Symsyk has been a central voice during the implementation of The Online Streaming Act, also known as Bill C-11, which aims to modernize legislation around media for the first time in a generation. As major foreign-owned streaming services fight against Canadian content funding obligations, Symsyk has been there to ensure the rollout is fair and equitable and that homegrown artists are supported.
Billboard Canada Women In Music’s 2025 Champion Award winner has also made sure that FACTOR lives up to its mandate to champion diversity and inclusion and reflect the Canadian population in its programs and operations.
Alongside Music Publishers Canada (MPC), FACTOR is once again supporting the Women in the Studio National Accelerator, which provides women and non-binary producer-songwriters with technical training, industry networking and career development. FACTOR is also a key Canadian supporter of the international Keychange program, which aims to empower underrepresented genders with training, mentoring and support along with opportunities at festivals and conferences. And Symsyk proudly supported The Beaches at Billboard Women in Music 2026 as they represented Canada and accepted the Global Force award on the international stage.
It’s all part of a career that began at Western University’s entertainment productions office, through radio promotion at Universal Music, and artist marketing for years with labels like Interscope and Geffen and more, then Anthem, where she became a protégé of late industry icon Pegi Cecconi. There, she became part of the “Rush family,” where she worked on the Canadian power trio’s global tour marketing and PR until they stopped touring in 2015, and is now playing a big role in their blockbuster reunion tour alongside her work at FACTOR. That experience culminates in the philosophy she leads with now, understanding the music industry from a bird’s eye view and using that vision to give Canadians a fighting chance.
As this week’s Executive of the Week, Symsyk spoke to Billboard Canada about the initiatives that FACTOR supports, how they fund who they fund, and — maybe most importantly — why they do.
Read our full interview here. — Richard Trapunski
Here’s How Toronto Celebrated Drake’s ‘Iceman’ Release
After nearly a year of teasing, Drake’s latest album, Iceman, is finally here.
A known champion of his hometown, the rapper has spent much of his decades-spanning career boosting his city, Toronto. The rollout for Iceman was no different.
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Last night, Drizzy took over the CN Tower, projecting parts of his fourth livestream on the symbol of the city, turning it Iceman blue. From a triple-album drop to a shoutout to Mayor Olivia Chow to a spotlight on Canadian brands, Toronto is Drake’s playground, and we’re just living in it.
A day before Iceman dropped, there were whisperings that Drake was gearing up for some kind of stunt at the CN Tower. The rumours were true.
Last night (May 14), the city monument went icy blue to promote Iceman, while a segment of his fourth livestream was projected onto the building. During the clip, the rapper performed atop the CN Tower, as eager fans gathered in real time to witness the attraction.
Concluding the livestream, Drake erupted a massive fireworks display over the water at Harbourfront Centre that lasted over 10 minutes.
While many fans flocked to the CN Tower, Drake and his team hosted a private release party at the historic castle-like residence and event venue Casa Loma, in collaboration with Yorkville restaurant Powder Room. He was spotted celebrating with rapper Sexxy Red, basketball star Kevin Durant, comedian Shane Gillis and more.
During the fourth Iceman livestream, one clip showed Drake roaming around inside an empty Toronto City Hall. He even sat at Mayor Olivia Chow’s desk while wearing her chain of office — a ceremonial symbol of authority and duty. To show his gratitude, he left a brief handwritten note for Chow on her desk.
“Thank you my crodi. Olivia Chow!” it reads, referring to the mayor with the Toronto slang term for a close friend or brother (Kendrick Lamar notably used it against him in his diss track, “Euphoria”). The 6 God ended the note with “Iceman 2026,” signing his government name — Aubrey Graham — and “6’er.”
Mayor Chow shared the note to Instagram, with the caption: “You’re welcome Iceman 🧊,” noting that Drake “is a big booster of our city. Happy to host his team at City Hall.”
Read more here. — H.T.S.
