The Directors Guild of Canada Denounces Decision by the Saskatchewan Government to Terminate the Saskatchewan Film Employment Tax Credit (SFETC) Program

TORONTO, March 22, 2012 /CNW/ - The DGC joins the industry in expressing disappointment at the recent announcement by the Government of Saskatchewan that the Saskatchewan Film Employment Tax Credit (SFETC) program has been terminated This decision will have a negative impact on the audiovisual industry in Saskatchewan and DGC Members residing in Saskatchewan.

"It is most certainly a regrettable and ill conceived decision," stated Gerry Barr, DGC National Executive Director and CEO. "It is especially shocking since the Saskatchewan Film Industry Task Force made recommendations to the Saskatchewan government with the goal to strengthen and stabilize the provincial film industry and it would appear that these recommendations were disregarded."

These tax credits were instrumental in the creation of two of Canada's most successful television programs:  Corner Gas and Little Mosque on the Prairie, as well as a number of domestic and Hollywood feature films. Further, the tax credits empowered the Saskatchewan audiovisual industry to present itself as a serious business partner to co productions with numerous countries including the U.K., France, Germany and China.

"This decision seemingly misunderstands not only the importance of tax credits to the audiovisual industry, but also their impact on other cultural industries and sectors of the provincial economy," added Robert King, Chair, DGC Saskatchewan District Council. "This will effectively kill the industry and have a chilling effect on employment and revenues for businesses that depend on the sector."

The DGC along with its industry partners and stakeholders remain committed to lobbying the Saskatchewan provincial government to revisit and reconsider this decision.

The Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) is a national labour organization that represents over 3,800 key creative and logistical personnel in the film and television industry covering all areas of direction, design, production and editing. The DGC negotiates and administers collective agreements and lobbies extensively on issues of concern for members including Canadian content conditions, CRTC regulations and ensuring that funding is maintained for Canadian film and television programming.

Media

Alejandra Sosa - Director, Communications - 416.482.6640 (ext.) 243 [email protected]