No Bail Out for TV Stations: Stimulate the Economy with More not less Canadian Content

OTTAWA--Canada’s major broadcasters and producers are claiming most of the federal funding available to the arts while at the same time asking the government to let them provide less local programming and Canadian productions. Stimulus spending on the arts, according to the Greens, should support the expansion of local media production maintaining and creating Canadian jobs while delivering more Canadian content across the country.

“What Canadians want is more local content, but the Harper government is going in the opposite direction, planning to bail out major TV broadcasters with regulatory and tax changes, relieving them of their obligations to Canadian content,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May.

The Federal Government spends nearly $100 million each year to support film and television production, through the Canadian Television Fund (CTF).  Federal funding formerly allows for regional policies and programs but, recently, most of the money is being accessed by the largest and wealthiest broadcasters.  Small, regional, independent producers have to compete for these limited funds with Canada’s largest media companies.

“Any bail out for TV stations must include a requirement for Canadian content,” said Deputy Leader Claude Genest. “Also, funding for film and television should be distributed regionally and to small, independent creators, not funneled to the large corporations.”

The CRTC has scheduled broadcaster license renewal hearings beginning April 27, 2009 in Gatineau, Quebec to examine short-term license renewal applications for the private conventional television broadcast groups, including CTV Globemedia, Canwest, and Rogers.  Most of these broadcasters are seeking significant relief from their regulatory obligations, including those related to Canadian priority programming and independent production requirements.

“It is the small, regionally based filmmakers who need public support.  These small companies create jobs for producers, camera persons, editors, and technical workers and are especially helpful to young people just entering the field.  Young filmmakers should not have to move to Toronto in order to find work,” said Ms. May.

An overhaul is needed immediately regarding how public funds are delivered to the production of films and television to create Canadian stories.  

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Contact:
Michael Bernard
Communications Officer
Green Party of Canada
613-562-4916 ext. 244
(c) 613-614-4916
michael.bernard@greenparty.ca