Runaway Production in Canada
Five years ago, Canada was in a league of its own. Now 18 other countries are offering subsidy programs that were modeled after the original Canadian subsidies. Canada has seen a steady decline of American films and is losing ground to other production hotspots abroad offering more generous “incentives” such as Eastern Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the U.K.

It was inevitable that the studios would just point themselves in the direction of the most generous kickbacks. The Canadian government had to raise their subsidy rate 45% last spring (2004) to remain competitive. In December of 2004 The province of Ontario (Toronto) raised their provincial subsidy to 18% (a 70% increase). The province of Quebec (Montreal) also raised their provincial subsidy to 20% (a 90% increase). In January 2005 the province of British Columbia (Vancouver) raised its provincial subsidy to 18%.(a 70% increase). At the same time, their unions are mulling over the prospect of cutting wages to maintain the work.

While studio profits soar to record high of 40 Billion in foreign and domestic Box Office and DVD sales, the race to the bottom for workers’ wages is in full swing.

There is a better way – enforce existing trade agreements, like the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), that have language designed to protect our jobs.

From Below The Line. January Issue, 2005
Canada Subsidy War: Quebec Vs. Ontario Vs. B.C.
By JACK EGAN

From the Daily Variety January 20, 2005
B.C. gov't agrees to up tax credits, Proposal also affects local production
By Don Townson

From the Daily Variety January 13, 2005
Protests target B.C. tax breaks, Producers threatening to move projects to Ontario
By Don Townson

From the Daily Variety January 2, 2005
Quebec ups tax credits to lure film prod'n, Province responds to changes in Ontario incentives
By BRENDAN KELLY

From the Daily Variety December 21, 2004
Ontario boosts local, foreign prod'n credits, Canucks offer extra credit to bolster industry
By TAMSEN TILLSON

From the Daily Variety December 9, 2004
Looking for credit, Ontario pledges incentives to lure filmmakers
By TAMSEN TILLSON

From the Daily Variety November 23, 2004
A runaway runway, Toronto mayor unveils plan to woo film biz
By TAMSEN TILLSON

From the Daily Variety November 21, 2004
Canada confronts crisis, Currency devaluation leads to production crunch
By TAMSEN TILLSON

From the Daily Variety November 23, 2004
Great white gloom, Canuck confab tackles off year for pic prod'n
By BRENDAN KELLY

From the Daily Variety November 16, 2003
Canucks up local prod'n tax credits, Gov't aims to bolster domestic film, TV
By BRENDAN KELLY

From the Daily Variety October 22, 2004
In reel trouble, Canuck production hits hard times
By Don Townson

From the Daily Variety September 7, 2004
Fear of flight, Canada grapples with its own runaway production
By Brendan Kelly

From the Daily Variety September 5, 2004
Fewer bucks for Canucks, Runaway shoots north of border feeling 'location fringe'
By Dave McNary

From the Daily Variety August 5, 2003
Quebec cuts local film & TV funding, Some skeins no longer eligible for tax credits
By DON GROVES

From the Daily Variety June 15, 2003
Quebec cuts local film & TV funding, Some skeins no longer eligible for tax credits
By BRENDAN KELLY

From the Daily Variety February 19, 2003
Canada on a runaway train, Gov't ups tax breaks for foreign prod'ns
By TAMSEN TILLSON