Ms Blakeman: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Last July an open letter to the Minister of Culture and Community Spirit concerning the state of Alberta film and TV was signed by a wide cross-section of representatives. 

This was followed in December by a proposal from the Alberta film and television unions to combine streams 2 and 3, expand the number and description of key positions, implement regional bonuses, and re-establish a recoupable development fund. It is now too late to save a spring or summer shooting season, but with a quick response the minister could save the fall season. To the Minister of Culture and Community Spirit: when can we expect a response from the minister to this proposal?

Mr. Blackett: Well, Mr. Speaker, I have the information with my officials, and they are working on some proposals for me. We have in our department over the last two years made a multitude of changes to the film development program with the idea of enhancing business in our province, making ourselves more attractive. Just last November we included $800,000 for money to promote Alberta stories, project and script development, export market development, training and mentoring along with increasing our cap from $1.5 million to $3 million to $5 million.

The Speaker: The hon. member.

Ms Blakeman: Thank you very much. Back to the same minister. Well, currently we are not competitive. My question is: why is the minister creating a situation where Albertans trained in Alberta are forced to go to B.C., Quebec, or even New Mexico to work? To put it another way, why are we training talent and crew for our competitors?

Mr. Blackett: Well, Mr. Speaker, we’re in disagreement. I believe we are competitive. People in British Columbia and Ontario say that we’re competitive. Our labour rate as of last September was the most competitive in Canada. It’s probably the third most competitive now. We’re not in a race to the bottom. If you talk to the film producers, the people who actually put their money on the line, who actually are out there trying to bring business to our province, they’re very enthusiastic about our prospects for the next six months. I’m not sure what the member opposite is listening to.

Ms Blakeman: Well, I’m looking at how many people are working in this province. That’s what’s important to me, Albertans working. Given the Premier’s focus on competitiveness and given that for every dollar spent toward production, the film and television industry generates $10.80 in Alberta, why can’t the minister see the film and TV sector as easy pickings for the government’s competitiveness checklist?

Mr. Blackett: First of all, Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has her facts incorrect. The amount of return on investment is $6 for $1, not $10.80. We went through the minister of finance; we went through the department. We sat down with AMPIA; we sat down with other industry representatives. We agreed on $6. If we’re going to move forward collectively, let’s at least work with the same information, and let’s get the facts straight. Let’s work together and make sure that we’re competitive and attract business to our province.

Alberta Hansard, March 9, 2010

[direct link to this article]