News

August 3, 2016

August Update from FilmOntario, August 2, 2016

New Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Visits Cinespace
MPA-Canada and FilmOntario were pleased to host the new Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, the Honourable Eleanor McMahon, for a studio tour and lunch at 777 Kipling last Thursday. John Weber of Take 5 Productions and Cinespace's Jim Mirkopoulos were excellent hosts and made sure there was someone at every point along the tour who could provide information and educate the Minister on all aspects of production.

After the tour, several FilmOntario board members and guests joined the tour group for lunch and a short roundtable with the Minister. The goal was to introduce her to the industry and give her some idea of its contribution to the provincial economy. Thanks to everyone who attended and gave the Minister such a well-rounded picture of the sector. The Minister asked a lot of questions and was very engaged throughout; she also mentioned several times that she watches a lot of TV and movies, which was great to hear.

Thanks to all who participated in what was a very successful meeting with the new Minister, especially hosts John and Jim. We look forward to many more successful meetings in the future.

Launch of Ontario's First Culture Strategy
Following a series of province-wide consultations which began in September 2015, the Honourable Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, launched Ontario's first Culture Strategy at the Art Gallery of Ontario on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

The final report, which can be found here, outlines four goals:

1. Promote cultural engagement and inclusion
2. Strengthen culture in communities
3. Fuel the creative economy
4. Promote the value of the arts throughout government

Goal #3 is of the most interest to FilmOntario members. Under this goal, the government is looking to modernize tax credits for the screen-based industries. A public/private film and television advisory panel has also been established under this goal, in order to collaborate on growth strategies for the sector and promote dialogue between government and industry. FilmOntario is playing a key role on the panel, with several board members participating and Treasurer John Weber acting as the panel's industry co-chair.

FilmOntario was pleased to participate in all phases of the Culture Strategy consultation. We will continue to work with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and all our government partners as they begin to implement the strategy.

Member Profile: Mar-Lyn Lumber
Mar-Lyn Lumber is a relatively new FilmOntario member, and one of the two largest suppliers of lumber and building material for Film and TV in Ontario.

Wayne, owner and operator of Mar-Lyn Lumber, started his business when as a carpenter, he severed his hand in a machine accident and the carpenters at television station CFTO offered to buy lumber from Wayne to help him out. Little by little, show by show, Wayne stuck to the business, driving his own delivery truck until 1994, when they retired his truck license. Wayne is now 74 years old and still runs the company, which earns 90% of its revenue from the Film and TV business. We are delighted to have Mar-Lyn Lumber as a FilmOntario member.

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