Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I spoke last session on the opportunity for promoting our homegrown and new media industry. Since little has changed in the meantime, I will again try to convince the government to take advantage of this economic gift.
Every other national jurisdiction has acted on the evidence that a dollar spent in multimedia multiplies up to six times in local expenditures. We’ve seen Ice Road Truckers, Ice Pilots, productions that base their appeal on what no one else has: the magic of the NWT. They shoot their stuff with their crews then leave to do post-production, taking their money with them.
SEED program funding is doled out in meagre portions, ill designed for the realities of an industry that moves from project to project. We have a registry for film production businesses and that’s it.
The Canadian Media Fund recently held nationwide consultations for modeling its new $300 million Production Fund. Local producers attended. No ITI staff took time to attend. ITI turned down a request for help to attend national discussions on a specific northern fund component described by the fund president as “coming at a critical junction in the film, television and new media industry in the NWT.” A shot at a dedicated slice of the $300 million fund and we turned it down.
Let’s get serious here, Mr. Speaker. We have a precious, infinitely renewable resource: creative minds in a place like no other on earth. We know the amazing impact of film spending in local economies, the enviable success of Yukon and Nunavut territories and the approaches of every other jurisdiction. What we don’t have is meaningful and appropriate government support. In correspondence dating over years, our local producers, those who haven’t fled south, have been calling on this government to take simple steps. We need now a commitment from this government to carry out an independent assessment of the role a northern film industry could play in diversifying our economy.
The Minister has told me that an internal review is underway, whether resources are directed to the right areas and that recommendations will be made for the future. In carrying out that review I hope the Minister will see the need for more than a film commission that exists only on paper. We need expert industry minds to help us guide the development of their industry.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted.
I am calling on the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment for a commitment to meet with representatives of the NWT film and new media industry to discuss the actions that he will immediately take to begin setting up an NWT multimedia and supporting programs. I will be asking the Minister questions today, if I get the opportunity, on current support to the film and new media industry and his vision for its development. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
