Artisans in the visual effects and animation sector in Quebec are calling on the Legault government to suspend the tax credit reductions that were implemented in 2024.
The future of this industry, which generated economic benefits of $1.4 billion and employed more than 8,000 people, is at stake in 2022, say the initiators of a petition with 12,000 signatures sponsored by the Parti Québécois. which was tabled on Tuesday in the National Assembly.
The strikes of Hollywood screenwriters and actors had already hurt the industry in 2023. The 65% cap on expenses eligible for the tax credit, decreed in the last provincial budget, made the situation worse, according to Matthieu Chatelier , one of the visual effects artists behind the petition.
“In March 2024, we had lost 42% of 8,000 jobs. Currently, we have lost 61% of jobs and we are heading towards 77% in 2025,” indicates Mr. Chatelier.
Precariousness
Already, Quebec has lost its status as a leader in this area where it has been doing very well for around twenty years.
Other provinces, such as Ontario or British Columbia, have already taken advantage of the situation.
“At a time when all countries are competing to create innovation niches, the last budget seriously jeopardized one of those that we developed for years in visual effects and which offered excellent jobs », deplores the PQ deputy, Pascal Bérubé.
“Beyond job losses, great insecurity will set in,” adds Matthieu Chatelier. Instead of having stable, paying jobs, we find ourselves with a lot of people on contracts. It brings instability.”
