Ontario Concludes Successful LA Entertainment Trade Mission

By External Source

Last week, the government wrapped up four days of successful meetings with film, television and music industry leaders and executives in Los Angeles to promote and champion Ontario and its creative industries.

Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, was joined by leading representatives from the Canadian Film Centre, Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA), the Motion Picture Association of Canada, Music Canada and Ontario Creates. The meetings reinforced that Ontario is open for business and highlighted Ontario's skilled and talented workforce to American industry leaders.

While in Los Angeles, Minister MacLeod met with executives from screen industries, including Apple TV+, Universal, Netflix, Disney, NBC and Freemantle Media, to profile Ontario as a destination of choice for the development and production of film, television and music products.

"These meetings provided me with the opportunity to connect with industry leaders face to face and promote the interests of Ontario's film, television and music industries," said Minister MacLeod. "We have what it takes to create world-class productions — the talent, crews, infrastructure and financial incentives. Ontario offers the world in one province, and I am proud to have showcased our pride of people and place — and delivered a clear message that Ontario is open for business and that our tax credits will remain stable."

CIMA President Stuart Johnston was equally supportive in his statement following the mission: “The Canadian Film Centre was pleased to host a roundtable with Minister MacLeod and various screen industry leaders to help open the lines of communications between Ontario and L.A.’s film and TV businesses, and to help promote the wealth of world-class Canadian talent available for work in Ontario.

“It was encouraging to see the minister’s passion for our industry and her commitment to breaking down barriers to ensure that institutions like the Canadian Film Centre are able to continue our invaluable work of developing and advancing Canadian creative and entrepreneurial talent in the screen-based industries.”

Film, television and music contribute significantly to Ontario's economy. According to the Motion Picture Association of Canada, the popular Star Trek: Discovery spent more than $257 million dollars in Ontario and employed over 4,000 Ontarians in just the first two seasons of production. Productions like this are taking place in communities across the province, creating jobs and supporting local service industries.

Quick Facts

• In 2018, film and television productions supported by the province spent $1.9 billion in Ontario.

• Ontario offers tax credits to support film and television production. These incentives play an important role in increasing economic activity and job creation in Ontario while also enhancing the province’s cultural profile.

• According to recent Statistics Canada data, the sound recording industry contributes more than $360 million to the province’s GDP.

• Ontario generates 75 percent of Canada’s total music recording industry revenue.

• Heritage, sport, tourism and culture industries achieve a combined economic imprint of an estimated $71 billion.