In May 1981, exasperated by the working conditions imposed on creative artists, writer Luc Plamondon, writer-composer-performer Diane Juster and writer Lise Aubut founded the Société professionnelle des auteurs et des compositeurs du Québec. Joined by François Cousineau, Stéphane Venne and Gilles Vigneault, they formed SPACQ’s first Board of Directors. Their initial mission was to defend the rights and the moral, professional and economic interests of authors and composers, as well as the rights inherent in their works.

SPACQ’s place in the world of Canadian music has grown considerably over time, but the organization’s mission has never changed. Every author and every composer living in Quebec is now represented by the Société professionnelle des auteurs et des compositeurs du Québec. No longer are they forced to defend their individual interests directly before producers and broadcasters — SPACQ represents them collectively!

The following are some of SPACQ’a major achievements and victories since its creation in 1980: 

•  In 1985, SPACQ and SACEM created the Society for Reproduction Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers in Canada (SODAC) Inc., a reproduction rights organization now representing the works of more than 5,000 Canadian music creators and publishers.
  
• In 1988, SPACQ helped bring about the the abolition of compulsory licensing by the Canadian Parliament as part of Phase I of the Copyright Reform process. Our representations made it possible for SPACQ to negotiate reproduction rights on any phonograms or other supports offered for sale. 
  
•  SPACQ instigated the merger of Canada’s two former performing rights societies, CAPAC and PROCAN, to form the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN). 
  
• SPACQ championed increases in Francophone music and Canadian Content quotas for radio through representations before the CRTC. 
  
•  In 1992, SPACQ received accreditation from the Quebec Commission de reconnaissance des associations d'artistes (the Quebec status of the artist legislation) as sole negotiator for commissioned music. 
  
•  In 1996, SPACQ received federal accreditation under the Status of the Artist Act as the representative of all lyricists, composers and lyricist-composers of songs in the French language and of music without words commissioned while the composer is a resident of Quebec. 
  
•  SPACQ helped develop a granting program for authors and composers of Musicaction-supported albums. 
  
•  SPACQ campaigned for the adoption of the Quebec status of the artist legislation. 
  
•  SPACQ supported and won the introduction of a songwriting award at the annual ADISQ Awards. 
  
•  SPACQ is a party to numerous collective agreements which guarantee minimal working conditions for composers as well as social benefit contributions to be paid by ptoducers. 
  
•  SPACQ provides authors and composers with legal services in all professional departments. 
  
•  SPACQ provides all French-speaking Canadian music creators with training workshops fostering creativity and professional development. 
  
•  SPACQ represents the interests of authors and composers as part of a number of professional organizations including Musicaction, the Coalition for Cultural Diversity, the Grande nuit du Cinéma, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, SODEC (Société de développement des entreprises culturelles, SOPREF (Société pour la promotion de la relève musicale de l'espace francophone), OCCQ (Observatoire de la culture et des communications de Québec) and SODRAC (Society for Reproduction Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers in Canada).