News - Northernstars.ca

Ontario Production Rebounds
By Staff

(February 18, 2010 - Toronto, Ontario) – Turns out last year was quite a year for film and television production in the province of Ontario. In a media release from the Ontario Media Development Corporation, an increase in both foreign and domestic production has resulted in a return to levels not seen in the last seven years. Looking at the numbers, Ontario’s film and television industry contributed $946.4 million to the provincial economy in 2009. That represents a remarkable turn-around and an increase of 41 per cent over 2008 despite the continued strength of the Canadian dollar, aggressive competition from other jurisdictions and a global economic crisis.

Residents of many cities, including Toronto, have seen a return of the almost ubiquitous white production trucks and cast Winnebagoes to their streets thanks to increases in both foreign and domestic production. The increase in foreign productions has been attributed in part to the Ontario Government’s enhancements to the Ontario Production Services Tax Credit (OPSTC) that was announced on June 30, 2009. The credit was expanded from 25 per cent of eligible labour costs to include all eligible Ontario production costs. It's believed the enhanced tax credit added a large incentive to the many other advantages the province provides to film and television producers.

The following points were supplied by the Ontario Media Development Corporation:

• Ontario’s 2009 film & TV production activity contributed $946.4 million to the economy -- an increase of 41 per cent over 2008

• Total domestic production spending increased by $129.8 million, or 23.8%, contributing $674.4 million

• The number of domestic productions was similar to last year, but budgets were up in all categories – with the largest increase occurring in domestic feature films, whose average budget spending was up by 99.8 per cent

• Total foreign production spending increased by $145.5 million or 114 per cent

• Foreign feature spending increased from $79 million to $161.8 million -- a 104.5 per cent increase

• Foreign television series spending spiked in 2009 contributing $ 58.0 million in 2009 compared to $16 million in 2008 (a 262 per cent increase) with the average foreign television series production budget increasing by 201.6 per cent from 2008

Ontario's Minister of Tourism and Culture, Michael Chan, said “This tremendous show of strength from Ontario’s film and television industry helps demonstrate the enormous competitive advantage that cultural industries give us in the global economy. These industries have had a significant impact on Ontario’s economy and continue to show impressive upside potential."

Karen Thorne-Stone, President & CEO of the Ontario Media Development Corporation added, "We are delighted that Ontario’s film and television industry has come back so strongly in such a globally-competitive environment. Early indications point to 2010 being another strong year.”