Ontario Woos Hollywood to Create Jobs and Growth in Film and TV Industry

April 4, 2011

McGuinty Government Supporting Jobs and Growth In Film and TV Industry

Ontario’s film and television industry continue to produce huge hits, creating jobs and help support the Ontario economy in turning the corner. In 2010 alone, film and television production accounted for more than 23,000 direct and indirect jobs and contributed almost $2 billion to the economy in Ontario.

Warehouse 13, which airs in both Canada and the United States, is currently filming its fourth season of production in Ontario. Ontario’s offers three tax credits (Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit; Ontario Computer Animation and Special Effects Tax Credit; Ontario Production Services Tax Credit) to directly assist the film and television industry. The province continues to attract film and television productions to the province with its world-class infrastructure, local talent and diverse locations, such as:

• “Total Recall”, one of the largest Hollywood productions ever to shoot in Toronto begins filming next month at Pinewood Toronto Studios.
• “Dream House”, directed by Jim Sheridan and starring Daniel Craig.
• Summit Entertainment’s “Red”, starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirren.
• Spyglass Entertainment’s “The Vow”, starring Ontario native Rachel McAdams.
• “Resident Evil: Afterlife” is the most successful production in Canadian feature film history, grossing more than $280 million worldwide.

Investing in film and television is part of the province’s Open Ontario Plan to help the economy in Turning The Corner and create more jobs for Ontarians.

“Ontario is home to world-class talent that entertains and engages audiences across the country and around the world. We are proud to invest in Ontario’s film and TV production to help transform creativity into content – and jobs for the province and help the economy in turning the corner.”

– Michael Chan
Minister of Tourism and Culture

• Every million dollars of film and TV production in Ontario generates 24 full-time direct and spin-off jobs.
• Ontario’s tax credits to support the film and television industry are valued at $290 million annually.
• In 2010, provincially supported film and television productions directly contributed $964.3 million to the economy – an increase of 43.6 per cent (up $293 million) from 2008.
• Ontario recently provided $9 million over three years to the Canadian Film Centre to expand its training programs.
• Foreign production in Ontario increased by $145.5 million, more than 100 per cent increase from 2008 to 2009.

• Watch OMDC’s “We’ve Got It Going ON” video featuring the cultural industry.
• Find out more about the Ontario Media Development Corporation.
• Ontario film and television tax credit.
• Read more about OMDC’s programs that support film and television.
• Follow OMDC on Twitter.
• Follow OMDC on Facebook.