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Producers Raise Concerns Over Conservative Party's Position on Culture

A document issued by the Conservative Party of Canada has raised serious concerns among producers on their commitment to the production industry. Outlined in Policy Briefing Notes for Candidates are two points which could devastate the $5-billion industry.

Made available to all candidates on April 2, 2004, the document calls for severe restructuring of the CRTC – possibly eliminating Cancon regulations- as well as opening up the satellite policy to create an open market with the United States; essentially opening our borders to all foreign programming and jeopardizing Canadian content from ever seeing the light of day on Canadian channels.

“These ideas would be an assault on the system,” said Guy Mayson, CEO and president of the Canadian Film and Television Production Association. “This industry provides over 134,000 jobs and has proven to be a real success story, but the production industry would not be were it is today if we did not have the support of government agencies and strong tax incentives.”

The CFTPA has issued a series of questions specifically to the Conservative Party. The association is also forwarding the three main parties platforms to their members with a series of questions to ask all candidates. The Liberal Party specifically addresses culture on page 12 of its Platform Bulletins, the NDP addresses culture on page 41 of its platform, and even The Green Party addresses the CBC, but the Conservatives have stated nothing officially in theirs, with the exception of a reference to cutting subsidies in general.

CFTPA Questions for Stephen Harper and the Conservatives

What sort of commitment would your government make to the production industry?

Does your government believe in the Canadian Television Fund, and would your government continue funding it?

Would your government eliminate or improve federal tax credits for the production industry?

Would you dismantle, reduce or enhance the CBC-Radio Canada, the National Film Board of Canada and Telefilm Canada?

What is your position on the foreign ownership levels of Canadian cable, telecommunication companies and broadcasting companies?

The CFTPA is a non-profit, trade association representing almost 400 companies in the Canadian production industry. The association promotes the general interests of Canadian producers by lobbying government on policy matters, negotiating labour agreements, and offering mentorship programs and copyright initiatives.

Party Platforms

Conservative Platform: Nothing specific on culture except on page 22 of their PDF with a reference to the general review of all granting programs
http://www.conservative.ca/platform/

Liberal Platform: Page 12, Arts & Culture and Film and Television Policy http://www.liberal.ca/pdf/policyeng1.pdf

NDP Platform: Page 41, policy on CBC, media industries and CRTC
http://www.ndp.ca/uploaded/20040527091443_Fed.NDP.Platform.eng.sm.pdf

For more information on this, please contact:

Jane L. Thompson
Director of Communications
Canadian Film and Television Production Association

Tel: 613 233 1444 ext 227