Economic statement from the Government of Canada: major disappointment for the audiovisual industry
The Quebec Media Production Association (AQPM) has the impression of starring in a bad film when it notes the absence, in the economic statement, of an announcement to ensure the sustainability of Telefilm Canada’s budget at its current level and the increase in that of the Canada Media Fund (CMF).
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The Quebec Media Production Association (AQPM) has the impression of starring in a bad film when it notes the absence, in the economic statement, of an announcement to ensure the sustainability of Telefilm Canada’s budget at its current level and the increase in that of the Canada Media Fund (CMF).
However, time is running out for this government to fulfill the commitments made during the 2019 election campaign. The audiovisual industry was delighted that the Liberal Party of Canada included in its platform a commitment to gradually increase the budget of Telefilm Canada to achieve a sustainable increase of $50 million per year and to double the annual contribution of $134 million from Canadian Heritage to the CMF. The realization of these promises would have made it possible not only to compensate for the loss of contributions from cable distributors to finance television productions by doubling the stabilization fund, but also to confirm the support measures for diversity as well as to increase the share to 40%. envelopes dedicated to original French language content.
However, several initiatives have mobilized hundreds of stakeholders who, for months, have recalled the importance and urgency of better supporting the independent audiovisual production sector which generates the equivalent of more than 71,000 jobs across the country. . These jobs are constantly weakened by the uncertainty caused by ad hoc government decisions while production schedules as well as the decisions of funders and broadcasters require better predictability.
“This is a missed opportunity between the government and the cultural community. As political events unfold, there will be few opportunities to remedy the situation and ensure a successful outcome for all stakeholders in the audiovisual industry. The community expects the government to respect its commitments. Let us hope that the Minister of Heritage, Pascale St-Onge, who is sensitive to the concerns expressed by the film and television industry, will be able to quickly make announcements outside of budget cycles to settle once and for all the sustainability of the $50 million increase in the budget of Telefilm Canada, provide the means to the FMC to pursue its mission and correct the systemic underfunding of original French language production”, underlined the president and CEO of the AQPM, Hélène Messier.
About the AQPM
The Quebec Media Production Association (AQPM) advises, represents and supports independent production companies in cinema, television and the web. Its members include more than 150 Quebec companies whose productions are recognized in Quebec and abroad.
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