IATSE calls for variety of funds to promote Canadian broadcasting

Renewal of the Canadian broadcasting system should not rely on one rigid formula, a major union in the sector told the CRTC Monday. Rather a wide range of funds should exist to reflect the diverse scope of the industry. The International Alliance of the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Canada was among the presenters as the commission opened its second week of hearings into changes to the contribution regime. “A flexible and adaptable framework should follow the guiding principle of Do No Harm,” international vice president John Lewis told the panel. A shift of the old contribution scheme to the new environment would result in harming some Canadian productions while assisting others, he warned. He called for an inclusive definition of what constitutes Canadian content. Isabelle Lecompte, an international representative with the union, said competition for foreign productions from other countries could lead to increased competition for a dwindling number of films and TV shows. Lewis said most of the Canada Media Fund money goes to productions in Toronto and Montreal, homes of the domestic industry, while Vancouver, which gets the lion’s share of foreign work, receives a pittance. He told the commissioners he was ill-equipped to suggest how funding should work. “I think we might be the only group that’s coming here that’s not asking for any money or any funding,” he quipped. Most of the other witnesses appearing at Monday’s hearings did come with palms outstretched. Taya Rtishcheva, founder and executive director of U Multicultural, said community non-profits organizations such as hers should be exempt from paying contributions. She did, however, have a suggestion on how money should be spent. “Diversity in media production is essential,” the Winnipeg broadcaster stated. “However, in order to provide the orientation and training to journalists, additional support is needed. The commission should consider the funding allocation for media training initiatives aimed at youth, individuals from underrepresented groups, ethnic and Indigenous communities.” In the morning session, the Canadian Ethnocultural Media Coalition said it was vital that their members receive monies from broadcast funds. Most operate on a shoestring, representatives reported, and coverage of Canada by foreign signals distributed in the country is either non-existent or has biases. –Reporting by Paul Park at ppark@thewirereport.ca and editing by Michael Lee-Murphy

IATSE calls for variety of funds to promote Canadian broadcasting

Broadcast | November 28, 2023

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IATSE calls for variety of funds to promote Canadian broadcasting

Broadcast | November 28, 2023

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