Ontario Supports Film and Television Industry in the North

Funding will create new jobs and promote economic development

The Voice of Canada News:

The Ontario government is providing more than $5.5 million to help support the thriving film and television industry, create jobs and promote economic development in North Bay and surrounding area. Funding is being delivered to four production companies through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC).

“Our government is proud to support the region’s film and television industry,” said Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing. “As we continue to navigate the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak, we remain committed to supporting northern production and post-production projects – developing skilled, local talent and creating good jobs for our next generation.”

NOHFC investments include:

• $3 million for Hideaway Pictures Inc. to produce, in and around Powassan, season two of the television series When Hope Calls.
• $1.5 million for Hideaway Pictures Inc. to produce, in and around North Bay, the television movies Crossword Mysteries 3, Crossword Mysteries 4 and Crossword Mysteries 5.
• $500,000 for HP Christmas D Productions Inc. to produce, in and around North Bay, the television movie Too Close For Christmas.
• $462,628 for Mythic Trips Entertainment Corp. to produce, in and around North Bay, the feature film Flee The Light.
• $122,457 for Post Production North in North Bay to expand its current service offerings to include digital descriptive video. Digital descriptive video is the vocal description of the action and visuals taking place in between dialogue in a movie or television show.

“As we focus on recovery, our government is proud to make targeted investments in growing and emerging sectors, such as the north’s film and television industry,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines. “Today’s investments will help stimulate employment opportunities and economic diversification and development.”

The NOHFC promotes economic development across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects – big and small, rural and urban – that stimulate growth, job creation and skilled workforce development. Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $193 million in 1,386 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $748 million in investment and creating or sustaining 3,912 jobs.

With all regions of Ontario having entered Stage 3 of reopening, the government is moving forward with its made-in-Ontario plan for renewal, growth and economic recovery. For a list of restrictions that remain in place for Stage 3, please visit ontario.ca/reopen.