TORONTO — Ontario’s film and television industry had a record-breaking year in 2019, with 343 productions bringing in $2.16 billion in production spending and supporting 44,540 full-time equivalent direct and spin-off jobs, the provincial government announced Friday. This represents an increase in production by almost 15% from 2018.
Lisa MacLeod (pictured at centre), minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, joined award-winning actress Wendy Crewson, award-winning director Sergio Navarretta, and industry leaders Jim Mirkopoulos (Cinespace Toronto), Justin Cutler (Ontario Creates), Theresa Tova (ACTRA), Peggy Kyriakidou and Jayson Mosek (UNIFOR), Angela Mastronardi and Monty Montgomerie (IATSE), and Michael Cerenzie and Jonathan Ahee (Stratagem Group) last week to discuss the results.
“These results show that we’re building a business-friendly climate where production companies and production service companies can grow,” said Minister MacLeod, in the news release. “In 2020, we are continuing to work with Ontario Creates and the industry to ensure producers at home and around the globe know that there’s no better place to create content than right here in Ontario.”
Some of the film and TV industry productions made in the province include: Cardinal and Letterkenny produced in Northern Ontario; Hilda in Ottawa; and Workin’ Moms, Kim’s Convenience and Star Trek: Discovery in the Greater Toronto Area. Schitt’s Creek, The Umbrella Academy and many others are filmed across Central and Southwestern Ontario.
Breaking down the $2.16 billion in production spending in 2019, approximately $1.1 billion was generated in foreign production and $1 billion in domestic production, according to the news release.
Ontario’s government announced February 13 a Ministers’ Film and Television Advisory Panel which will provide advice on how the province can continue to grow film and television production in the province.
“The government’s commitment to growing Ontario’s film and television industry means big business for Ontario and a globally competitive production scene,” says Karen Thorne-Stone, president and CEO of Ontario Creates, in the news release. “Our suite of financial incentives, over 10,000 locations, world-class crews, diverse talent, award-winning post-production facilities, and expanding studio space are a huge draw for producers from Canada, the U.S. and around the world.”
(Photo supplied by the Ontario government.)
