On January 26 when the Minister of Economic Development Tanya Fir introduced the Television and Film Tax Credit Program, transitioning from the grant based tax-credit pogram, for most of us in the screen image industries this can only discourage incentives for Marvel or Star War like productions wanting or considering to shoot in Alberta.
We are now officially unable to compete with other provinces like British Columbia or Manitoba. UCP's 'constricted movie picture formula' guarantees reduction in major film productions and job losses that will be caught in its wake.
Minister Fir insists it is maintaining funding set by the previous NDP government at $45 million annually. Yet, if the truth be-known they also insist the previous grant-based system was "over subscribed" meaning - are you ready - film tax credits will only be $15 million in 2020-21, $30 million in 21-22 and $45 million in the 2022-23 fiscal year. Resulting in a 67% cut compared to the former NDP grant program. We are no longer in-spite of Fir's misleading rhetoric be able to attract big budget television and or film projects!
If the UCP is serious in wanting to create a healthy Alberta film industry they need to scrap annual and per-project caps. We are no longer in a position to compete head-to-head against other provincial film jurisdictions like BC, Manitoba and Ontario who have no caps.
- Bruce 'Stache' Sinski
