Ms Blakeman: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The Alberta Film Advisory Council has AMPIA producers, film commissioners, and unions working together to advise the minister. 

Unfortunately, the minister has not attended even one meeting in the last two years, and the MLA position that was on the council was cancelled. After a three-year consultation the council developed a business case for the minister. My questions are to the Minister of Culture and Community Spirit. Why has the minister abandoned the three-year Alberta film development business case? What happened to it?

Mr. Blackett: Well, Mr. Speaker, just to clarify one thing, I haven’t been invited by the Alberta Film Advisory Committee to a meeting until last week. I will be attending a meeting with them on the 29th of March. I have representatives from my department that attend those meetings on a regular basis.

As far as the business case, it was deemed when we sat down with the film producers and representatives from the guilds that some of the aspects of the business case weren’t relevant and weren’t going to go forward, so we have moved on.

Ms Blakeman: Of course you’re invited. It’s your council. Given that our film industry needs both indigenous Alberta productions and the work for many Albertans through Hollywood big-budget movies, why is the minister continuing to pit the two sides against one another?

Mr. Blackett: Mr. Speaker, I’ve never pitted the two sides against one another. If that’s the assertion the hon. member would make, ask somebody from AMPIA if I ever did anything disparaging to any member of a guild or union. Our crews, our grips, our camera people, our sound people are some of the very best, hard-working people in the entire world, and they’re recognized as such internationally. I would never do anything to disparage that. We need to work together. I’ve consistently said that we need work together and would continue to work with those people who want to.

Ms Blakeman: You need to watch your Facebook postings, then. Will the minister show leadership to the industry, commit to attending meetings of his own advisory council, re-establish the MLA co-chair, and work to rebuild this sector?

Mr. Blackett: Mr. Speaker, I as minister responsible for the film and television and digital industry will take responsibility for meeting with the representatives of that group. I don’t think it’s necessary for us to have an MLA co-chair. I will become active with that, as I have continued to be, and will continue to meet with anybody in the industry who’s willing to meet with me.

Alberta Hansard, March 10, 2010

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