B.C. film industry pushes for better tax credits

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BURNABY (NEWS1130) – At an empty movie lot in Burnaby, members of B.C.’s film industry and the NDP joined together to push the province for more competitive tax credits.

Shawn Williamson with Brightlight Pictures says many major productions have moved from B.C. to Ontario and Quebec because it’s now cheaper to shoot there.

The B.C. film industry is proposing three targeted tax credits, a bonus for TV pilots and shows in their first year, and improved intellectual property development for B.C. projects.

Williamson says the province needs to act now to draw business back to B.C. “We absolutely cannot compete at this level in regards to the tax incentives, if we’re competing in Ontario.”

He is confident that if tax credits are improved, the industry will bounce back.

NDP leader Carole James echoed the need to lure business back to the province. “Since July, the pressure has been on. And we’re saying to the government they’ve got to act now. We can’t continue to fall behind. We’ve got the infrastructure, we’ve got the strength, we’ve got a great industry here in B.C., let’s support it.”

The Liberals say they are working with the film industry and while Ontario credits won’t be matched, film incentives will be part of the March 2nd budget.

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