The Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) announced that it has changed its name to Music Canada.

For more information visit: www.musiccanada.com

Unedited press release follows:

Statement on Music Canada

Toronto, July 7, 2011: Effective immediately, the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) will be known as Music Canada.

Music Canada is a non-profit trade organization that represents Canada’s major labels. Music Canada promotes the interests of its members as well as their partners, the artists. Those members are EMI Music Canada, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., Universal Music Canada Inc. and Warner Music Canada Co. In addition, Music Canada offers specific benefits to some of the leading independent labels and distributors in Canada.

Music Canada will support its members’ efforts to rebuild the marketplace for recorded music.

The first major effort of Music Canada is the launch of a music portal designed to become a comprehensive resource for the music industry.

musiccanada.com provides information and resources to those within the industry, as well as our partners in government, media, and business. Consumers will also find valuable information guiding them towards effective and legal ways to access and use music.

One of the most exciting resources is a 35 year archive of Gold/Platinum Awards in Canada. Our Gold/Platinum Awards Program was launched in 1975 to celebrate milestone sales of music in Canada. The online archive allows all those who love music to explore the historical timeline of popular records.