QUEBEC CITY — As part of a $400-million recovery plan for Quebec’s cultural sector released on Monday, the Quebec government is investing $91.5 million specifically in the film and TV production industry.
The announcement was made today by Quebec Premier François Legault and Minister of Culture and Communications Nathalie Roy. The plan (available in French) aims to stimulate artistic creation, revive the production of Quebec cultural content and allow the cultural community to adapt to new ways of reaching out to the public, in the context of the current Covid-19 pandemic.
Quebec’s culture minister also announced activities in the audiovisual production sector will resume as of June 8, with specific public health measures in place. All filming activities, including preproduction and postproduction, regardless of the type of production (variety, drama, film and documentary) will resume in the coming days, says the news release.
In order to reopen safely, the audiovisual production and postproduction industry will have to adapt to the health rules decreed by the province’s health authorities and CNESST (Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail), which are outlined in the Guide to Health Standards in the Workplace for the Audiovisual Production Sector – Covid-19 (available in French).
In addition, the culture minister said the department is still in discussions with Quebec public health authorities and CNESST regarding the resumption of activities in other parts of the cultural sector. For example, venues such as concert halls, theatres and cinemas could reopen by June 24, with specific arrangements in place, such as a reduced number of spectators to ensure the safety of both artists and the public.
“Your government is today taking an unprecedented step in support of the cultural community, as well as its artists, craftspeople and writers, who have been hit hard by the crisis. Even at the height of confinement, they showed us their immense creativity, their determination and their passion. The new measures and the investments we are announcing today will give the cultural community the impetus it needs to redeploy. We will also be there to promote the local talent and works that distinguish us and which will be more than ever a source of pride for Quebecers,” said Minister Roy in an English translation of the news release.
