MONTREAL – Telefilm Canada is cutting 30 full-time jobs and over $1 million from its programming initiatives after the recent federal budget slashed its funding by 10% over three years.
The organization said Wednesday that it will cut $2.7 million in the first year, which it broke out as $1.7 million from programs and $1 million in administration. This means that development financing will be slashed by $700,000, production financing by $500,000, and an additional $500,000 will be carved out of its promotion and training budget.
In addition to the job cuts, savings in administration will come from reductions in its professional services, administrative, and travel expenses.
Telefilm said that a portion of its savings will come about as a result of its program redesign initiative which seeks to automate processes, reorganize client requests, simplify guidelines and clarify eligibility criteria. This initiative is distinct from the government’s spending review, it said.
“Over the next few months, this same thorough and inclusive process will be followed in order to redesign programs related to production and marketing making them more efficient and client-focused”, reads a statement posted Wednesday on its website. “At the same time, this will allow Telefilm to finalize proposals which will be required to achieve cost savings targets for Year 2.”
Telefilm is dedicated to the cultural, commercial and industrial success of Canada’s audiovisual industry through its various funding and promotion programs. It also administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund.
