Tobin pledges government support for Canadian film and television production

The Canadian Film and Television Production Association is lauding a speech by Industry Minister Brian Tobin in which he made it clear that the government considers the broadcast sector an important engine for economic growth. Speaking at the CFTPA conference in Ottawa on Friday, Tobin told delegates that he intends to be a strong advocate for broadcasting and cultural industries. "Our government will continue to work to expand international markets for Canadian cultural products and services. And, we will continue to seek your advice on the most appropriate mix of policy tools to achieve both our cultural policy objectives and our access to foreign markets," Tobin said at the annual event. The minister's remarks were widely applauded as hitting the mark set by film and television producers for recognition from the federal government for its economic impact. CFPTA president and CEO Elizabeth McDonald told CCR that, "It's terrific. We have another strong voice in Cabinet. We are thrilled Minister Tobin has come on board so early in his term." This year's conference was the first for Tobin in his new post, though he emphasized his role in boosting the sector in his home province of Newfoundland. Tobin joked about making a cameo in the Newfoundland production Random Passage, and the former premier added that he introduced measures that saw the production industry in the province grow from $2 million annually to $20 million a year in two short years. Across the country, the film and television sector created 46,000 direct jobs and 73,000 indirect jobs in 1999-2000, according to an economic report, prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers on behalf of the CFPTA and l'Association des producteurs de films et de télévision du Québec, that was released at the conference. The report indicated that Canada's film and television production industry is one of the fastest growing sectors of the Canadian economy, growing 12 percent to nearly $4.4 billion in 1999-2000 from the year before. "I'm struck by how vibrant this industry is and exactly how important it is to Canada," said Tobin. The minister also told the audience that his government would provide "meaningful protection" for content producers. He said legislation allowing re-transmission of television signals would have to be examined and probably tightened, given JumpTV's request for a tariff from the Copyright Board of Canada. Another new government initiative announced at the conference was funding to the CFTPA from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's export market development program. McDonald says under the agreement up to $100,000 per project in funding would be used to "open international market doors to Canadian producers."

Tobin pledges government support for Canadian film and television production

News | 02/14/2001 5:00 am EST

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