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The making of films in Nova Scotia has been a part of the artistic and business landscape since 1913 when Evangeline, one of Canada’s very first films, was shot here.
Thousands of Nova Scotians have been employed in this industry over the years. They and their families were a vital part of the Nova Scotia economy. Students graduating from our colleges and universities stayed in Nova Scotia to work in film. Trained technicians and craftspeople moved to Nova Scotia to participate in the industry.
The making of films and TV shows is like any other manufacturing venture. Investors bring in capital and purchase goods and services from local businesses. They hire Nova Scotian carpenters, painters, electricians, caterers, hairdressers, make-up artists, prop builders, decorators, graphic artists, editors, animators, designers, drivers, actors, directors and producers and more to create the production. A finished product is shipped out to market.
During the 2013 election, the Liberal government promised stable funding for the film industry until 2020. Yet, in April 2015, they abruptly axed the film industry tax credit that was so vital to the industry.
Businesses closed. Millions of dollars’ worth of film projects that were lined up to shoot here went away. A combined workforce of over 2,700 Nova Scotians was thrown out of work. We then turned to our provincial government, asking them to work with us to fix this situation.
“Get back to work,” McNeil said.
But there is no work.
The tax credit made money for the province. From 1993 through 2014, the film industry showed a steady increase in revenue. The tax credit was replaced with a Film Incentive Fund with no time for the industry to transition to the new formula. Now, with the Canadian dollar so low compared to the American dollar, film in other provinces is booming. Yet in Nova Scotia, we remain dead in the water. Broadcasters and film studios are wary of Nova Scotia’s new system, reluctant to invest millions in something unproven and untried.
The loss is palpable. Throughout the province, businesses that supplied the film industry have been hit hard in the bottom line and many have closed shop. Infrastructure that took 30 years to build has been destroyed—victims of misguided political policy.
Talented people in their prime with young families, so badly needed in this aging province—people who helped build our economy and support our communities—are packing up and heading off to find work in other provinces where the benefits of film production are recognized and nurtured. For many of these families, this is a permanent move, and our loss.
We must protect industries like film that offer proven growth and jobs. We ask all Nova Scotians to talk to their elected officials. Make sure they understand the importance of the Nova Scotia film industry to the future of this province. Urge them to work with the industry to amend the Film Incentive Fund to bring it up to industry standards. We believe that it can be made to work. We believe that if the government and the industry pull together in the same direction, we can rebuild our industry for the benefit of all Nova Scotians.
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This article appears in Feb 25 – Mar 2, 2016.
Darlene is right. When you chase away your community’s artists, it suffers. There is so much information out there about how funding the arts GROWS the bottom line. Art and music and heritage are key to creating a place where people want to live. This is what attracts talented people to come and invest and work here. Nova Scotia’s Film Industry has given much to this province and Nova Scotians deserve to have it back.
Well said. No histrionics. No hand wringing and knashing of teeth. Plain spoken logical appraisal of the situation.
How on earth do we get through to this government? Surely if they had any sense at all of what is at stake they would reverse their policy. The only sign of any sort of awareness on their part is the shunting out of the pathetic Diana Whalen who couldn’t convincingly account for anything she was ostensibly in charge of. A dismal scene.
How do you expect to pay for it? Apple blossoms? FFS people, the industry was supported by government by 50%. I don’t want it back at that cost!
What really bothers me, as a “taxpayer” and consumer of the arts, is that the money seems to be always there for those who are considered politically relevant, but never for anything progressive or forward thinking. There is no money or interest from the government in bringing the quality of Internet in rural Nova Scotia to a 2000s standard or investing in the creative industries or improving active transportation, but if you need money for a ferry with more staff than people or for a shipping port 15 hours away from any major urban centre they’re all on it. Lame.
This Government has no idea what its doing, it gives Royal Bank a 20 million dollar payroll rebate over ten years and can not keep giving the film industry 25 million a year? It gives Royal Bank 10% on labor which it knows that it pays only after collecting 15% of the labor in Provincial taxes, yet it can only give the film industry 25% to 35% of all costs? when will it wake up and give the film industry back 55% to 65% of labor costs so that really rich people like the 42 that took half the money can remain rich while the rest of the film people get some scraps. And keep giving Haven more money, Universal only made 10 billion in profit last quarter. I love having film here it ads so much to our art community, one time I got to sit outside a set and watch some extras walk by, that is arts and culture at its finest. On second thought perhaps this Government has a clue… why would you support an industry that can get up and move at the drop of a hat.