Support for the Audiovisual Industry: Government of Canada Launches Consultations on the Implementation of its Coproduction Policy

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 4, 2011) - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, launched an online consultation today to hear from interested Canadians, members of the industry, and other stakeholders on the implementation of Canada's Policy on Audiovisual Treaty Coproduction.

"Last September, at the Toronto International Film Festival, I announced that our Government was entering coproduction negotiations with India. This was a first step in confirming our commitment to support Canada's film and television production industry by positioning Canada as a coproduction partner of choice," said Minister Moore. "The implementation of Canada's Policy on Audiovisual Treaty Coproduction is the next step in paving the way for future coproduction treaty negotiations between Canada and its partners."

"Coproductions yield considerable economic benefits for Canadians and attract foreign investment to projects that may not otherwise be created. This means job creation and increased support for our audiovisual industry," added Minister Moore.

Canada's Policy on Audiovisual Treaty Coproduction gives Canada a focused approach to coproduction and maximizes the benefits to Canadians and the audiovisual industry. Incorporating input from previous consultations, industry stakeholders' comments, and internal studies of national and international approaches, the policy provides clear direction for future Government actions in support of coproduction activities.

Starting today and until March 24, 2011, Canadians can provide online feedback on a proposed model treaty, on negotiations and renegotiations of coproduction treaties, on the coordination of promotional activities, and on the simplification of administrative procedures for certification. Canadians are invited to post their submissions or to participate in an online discussion forum.

The policy, implementation tools, and discussion questions are posted on the consultation website. For more information on the consultation and how to participate, visit www.pch.gc.ca/coproductionconsultation.

(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)

BACKGROUNDER

Coproduction treaties enable Canadian and foreign producers to pool their creative, technical, and financial resources to coproduce films and television projects. Treaty coproductions are granted domestic status in their respective countries. As such, they are eligible for applicable domestic funding programs and fiscal incentives, and they qualify for broadcast quotas.

The Department of Canadian Heritage is responsible for negotiating and overseeing coproduction treaties. Telefilm Canada administers these treaties on behalf of the Department of Canadian Heritage. Telefilm receives and evaluates applications for recommendation of projects as treaty coproductions. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, through the Canadian Audiovisual Certification Office (CAVCO), issues the certificates based on Telefilm Canada's recommendations.

Once a coproduction is certified, it is eligible for a range of direct and indirect audiovisual support measures. These include the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), the Canada Media Fund, and the Canada Feature Film Fund, as well as programs and fiscal incentives from the provinces and territories.

Canada signed its first coproduction treaty with France in 1963. Today it has treaties with 53 partners around the world and is recognized as a world leader in audiovisual treaty coproduction. For a list of those treaties, please visit the Telefilm website at www.telefilm.gc.ca/en/coproductions/coproductions/agreements.

Over the past decade, Canada has coproduced close to 800 audiovisual productions, including recent feature films, such as Resident Evil: Afterlife (Canada–Germany), Incendies (Canada–France), and Barney's Version (Canada–Italy), as well as a number of television productions, such as Pillars of the Earth (Canada–Germany), Franklin (Canada–France), and The Tudors (Canada–Ireland).