FILM AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION in Canada is booming. Profile 2017, the CMPA’s latest annual economic report, finds production volume in this country at an all-time high, reaching a total of $8.38 billion last year, and creating over 170,000 jobs. Canadian television content alone reached $2.99 billion in production volume and generated 61,200 jobs.
With few exceptions, production budgets are growing, distribution advances increasing, and foreign pre-sales are up. This tells us that Canadian content is seen as a smart investment and that our shows are more exportable than ever. On top of this, foreign location and service production has exploded, indicating that producers from around the world love our domestic production companies, talent, crew and locations.
The Canadian production and broadcasting industry certainly has something to celebrate. And while we at the CMPA would be the first to raise a glass to toast the industry’s success, we also need to ensure we don’t get so distracted by the popping of champagne bottles that we miss some key warning signs.
The successes we see today are the direct result of a highly effective regulated broadcasting system. From cable company contributions to the Canada Media Fund to Canadian programming requirements, our regulatory system is the backbone of our current vibrant domestic market.
Broadcasting plays a critical role in helping to build and support our Canadian identity. In recognition of this, Canada's Broadcasting Act sets out objectives that ensure Canadian broadcasting content meets the needs and interests of Canadians. It’s no secret that we have a cultural behemoth lurking just over the border, which threatens to flood our airwaves and homes with US content, leaving little chance for a Canadian show to survive.
But survive we have. In fact we have thrived. The system put in place by Canadians for Canadians has created our booming domestic industry.
However, we are now at a crossroads; a pivotal point in the digital economy. A time where regulation either matters, or it doesn’t. A time where broadcasters can continue to be a part of the upward momentum of the domestic industry, or where they can ditch their Canadian identity and rely solely on US content to fill their schedules.
"Why require less from those who helped build our successful industry, especially when they know first-hand that our regulatory system works?"
Canadian broadcasters ask – as they have for years – that their required contributions to our cultural products be lessened. Instead of doubling down on the proven success of our industry, they claim that they need to invest less in Canadian content and programs of national interest in order to compete with the American behemoths. And they are asking our national regulator to let them get away with this.
We believe the opposite is true. As Canadian producers and audiences alike adjust to new digital platforms, we believe the role of the CRTC, and the regulations it sets and enforces, have never been more important. At its core this is about protecting and promoting Canada’s cultural sovereignty.
As big, unregulated foreign players – like Netflix and Amazon – compete for Canadian audiences, some domestic players suggest we should upend the regulatory system that has created success for Canada. But why require less from those who helped build our successful industry, especially when they know first-hand that our regulatory system works? Given the proven successes of our industry, why are we even considering stepping away now? Because we’re too successful?
For certain, there are concerns: English-language children’s and youth programming has taken a nose dive and the shrinking share of domestic productions relative to foreign location and service productions raise several questions that we will have to examine.
But now, it’s more important than ever that we stand up for our national identity and cultural sovereignty, and invest in Canada so that the virtuous cycle of production can continue.
Reynolds Mastin is president and CEO of the Canadian Media Producers Association.
