OTTAWA – Canada’s film and television producers say proposed Senate amendments to
Bill C-10 reflect their concerns, and if passed, can help return stability to the industry.
“Canada’s independent film and television producers feel that they have been listened to and understood. The proposed amendments to Bill C-10 are fully consistent with Criminal Code compliance recommendations made by the Canadian Film and Television Production Association to the Senate committee,” said CFTPA President and CEO Guy Mayson.
The proposed amendments were released Wednesday by Senators Francis Fox and Wilfred Moore, and will be introduced when the Senate banking committee proceeds to a clause-by-clause examination of the omnibus income tax bill this fall.
The amendments include the removal of the power of the Canadian Heritage minister to set guidelines establishing the benchmarks for what’s considered against “public policy.” Instead, the Criminal Code will be the standard. Other changes to the bill include giving producers an efficient judicial appeal mechanism if the Canadian Heritage minister blocks or delays funding. However, provisions aimed at preventing government funding of pornography, child pornography and hate propaganda would be retained.
Bill C-10 currently includes provisions that would allow the Canadian Heritage minister to establish and modify at will guidelines for determining if a film is “contrary to public public” and, therefore, not eligible for federal tax credits.
“The CFTPA commends the Senate Committee for undertaking a thorough examination of Bill C-10, considering the views of the CFTPA and Canadian film and television industry and proposing amendments that will restore clarity to the tax credit financing environment,” said Sandra Cunningham, chair of the CFTPA board.
