Ontario Concludes Successful Los Angeles Industry Meetings

Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport

Minister MacLeod Champions Ontario Film, Television and Music Industries

TORONTO – 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, 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.”

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 per cent of Canada’s total music recording industry revenue.
  • Heritage, sport, tourism and culture industries achieve a combined economic imprint of an estimated $71 billion.

Quotes

“The studios we represent make substantial investments in Ontario through the production of long-running television series and major feature films, as well as post-production, visual effects and digital animation projects. Minister MacLeod’s mission to L.A. demonstrates the Ford government’s commitment to grow and support the film and television industry; and as Ontario’s Ambassador, Chief Marketing Officer and Economic Growth Agent, Minister MacLeod is working to boost infrastructure development, create local jobs and support community businesses across the province.”

Wendy Noss

President, Motion Picture Association – Canada

“We are pleased to see the minister champion Ontario’s independent music industry in L.A. — the most important market in the world for our sector. The indies are at the forefront of driving the commercial interests of Canadian music in markets all over the world. We are sincerely encouraged by Minister MacLeod’s passion and enthusiasm for Ontario’s independent artists and the hardworking Canadian companies and entrepreneurs who stand behind them. We’re looking forward to continuing to work with the minister in supporting and promoting Ontario’s vibrant and talented independent music industry.”

Stuart Johnston

President, Canadian Independent Music Association

“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.”

Slawko Klymkiw

CEO, Canadian Film Centre

“We were thrilled to be involved in Minister MacLeod’s tour to see once again firsthand how the music industry operates and how deeply interconnected it is across borders and between cultural industries. Maintaining the health of our entire creative ecosystem has never been more important to the future of our cultural economic community. I would also like to commend the minister for the direction that she is clearly taking this ministry, which respects both the societal benefits of culture, and the extraordinary multi-billion-dollar impact it has on our economy.”

Graham Henderson

President and CEO, Music Canada

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