TORONTO – The Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) offered 12 recommendations to the Canadian Content in a Digital World consultations , designed to ensure that made-in-Canada content continues to entertain audiences at home and abroad for decades to come, regardless of how that content is consumed.
The organization, on behalf of independent producers representing hundreds of companies that develop and distribute English-language content for television, cinema and digital media channels, submitted the following recommendations:
– An updated policy framework that ensures all services and platforms which benefit from being part of the Canadian system also contribute to the success of that system; this includes Over-The-Top (OTT) services and Internet Services Providers (ISPs);
– Relief from the heavy administrative burden faced by producers, through increased efficiencies and reduced duplication between Telefilm Canada, the Canada Media Fund, and the Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office; and
– An expanded definition of Canadian content that includes new elements (e.g. points awarded for the adaptation of a bestselling Canadian novel) as well as tax credit incentives to maximize the use of Canadian creative talent.
Other recommendations focus on improving discoverability and increasing export opportunities, promoting innovation within the production sector, and protecting intellectual property rights. The full submission is available here.
“As creative entrepreneurs, this consultation presents our sector with an unprecedented occasion to identify and embrace the opportunities created by recent advances in digital technology,” said CMPA president and CEO Reynolds Mastin, in a statement. “We applaud the Minister’s leadership on this initiative and stand ready to help develop an updated set of policies and programs, that will allow our sector to thrive, so we can create jobs, promote our culture, and unleash our full creative potential.”
