After two blockbuster years, Ontario’s film productions took a hit in 2023 because of lengthy writer and actor strikes in the U.S.Â
Figures to be released Friday show while the sector gave the provincial economy a $1.8 billion boost last year, it was down more than 40 per cent when compared to $3.1 billion in 2022.
For the past few years, film and television productions have been on a roll in the province, hitting record amounts, though the province had braced for a drop in film and television productions given the job action south of the border in the summer and fall of 2023 that impacted work in Canada as well.Â
But Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Neil Lumsden said the silver lining is that domestic productions held strong in 2023 — comprising more than half, or almost $948 million, of the economic benefit — which sets the stage for another strong performance this year.
“The impact is down — it was $1.8 billion — which seems like a lot when we are shooting for more, but then there are disruptions that happen,” he told the Star.
“But I have always felt that if you want to find out how good somebody or something is, as far as an industry or company, when things get tough you see what happens. And I’m thrilled by what is happening domestically and the productions and what was going on in Ontario.”
From the overall number “I was disappointed, but not discouraged — and there’s a difference.”
And, he added, the “upside is now going to be tremendous when you can stay solid at home.”
Last year in Ontario, some 302 domestic productions were in play — 52 feature films, 138 television series and 112 TV movies, miniseries and specials. That’s down slightly from the 316 in 2022.
Some 102 foreign films and television series and movies were produced here, and while not a huge drop, the associated spending was cut by more than half.
In 2021 and 2022, the province posted record-breaking years, and for the first time surpassed $3 billion in 2022.
Ontario’s presence in the sector is fuelled in part by holiday-related television movies and streamed series, especially in the romance genre produced by big names like Hallmark.
Cities like Ottawa and Hamilton offer a variety of looks — and can stand in place of Europe or a number of American cities — with rural settings nearby, making them an attractive choice for production companies.
Mississippi Mills, outside of Ottawa, has been dubbed “Hollywood of the North” given the number of movies shot in the small community.
Film and TV productions create local jobs and also are a boon to area hotels, restaurants and businesses. At Canadore College in North Bay, a specialized production program helps train workers the sector needs.
In 2021, some 400 domestic and foreign feature films, television and streaming service productions created 48,000 jobs in the province and contributed $2.88 billion to the economy.
In 2022, the sector brought in $3.15 billion in direct spending in Ontario, with 419 productions creating 46,000 jobs.Â
In January, the province and city announced that Amazon MGM Studios was leasing space at the sprawling Pinewood Toronto Studios on Commissioners’ Street down by the waterfront.
Lumsden said that studio and local talents boosts “the capabilities that we have in Ontario” and that’s something he’s hearing a lot about.
“I can tell you from those that I’ve talked to, those that have come up on tours, and production companies, — both in North America and across the world — they like coming here for a bunch of reasons. There’s an incentive with the tax credits, which is really important both the film and television tax credits, production tax credits, digital media tax credit to animation, special effects, all that. That means a lot. It’s the opportunity that they look for, and when you’ve got that as a bit of a carrot, then you’ve got everything else.”
He also noted growth in the number of locations productions are using, not only in Greater Toronto but around Ottawa and Hamilton and northern Ontario.Â
Premier Doug Ford has set a goal of $5 billion for the sector, and Lumsden said that’s a goal he shares.
There’s no reason Ontario “can’t get back to where we were in a reasonable timeline,” he added.
Among the productions in the province last year were “Geek Girl” (filmed in Ottawa), “Umbrella Academy” (Hamilton, Mississauga, Toronto) and “Reacher” (Durham Region). Series including “Cross,” “Pachinko,” “Cruel Intentions” and “The Pradeeps of Pittsburg” are also on the way, as well as M. Night Shyamalan feature “Trap.”
Ontario has 3.85 million square feet of stage space with another 1.6 million on the way.Â
Last year, writers in the U.S. were on strike for three months over the summer, and actors from last July to November.
Meanwhile, members of the Writers Guild of Canada has, for the first time in its history, voted in favour of strike action should no deal be reached with the Canadian Media Producers Association. While no strike is planned, any job action by the 2,500 screenwriters would impact productions here.
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