June 18, 2008 - Good News! C-10 to be Amended!
The Senate listened to our industry and is removing the “contrary to public policy” clause from the bill. They are also including an appeals system in case any funding is ever blocked or delayed. This is a triumph for our industry and clearly shows the power we have when we speak with one voice. Thank you to all of our members for making phone calls, signing petitions and writing letters - it’s working! DGC will follow up on these changes and keep you informed.
June 13, 2008 - Toronto's Mayor Miller Supports Outcry Against Bill C-10
Mayor Miller had many positive things to say about Ontario's film and television community. He has always been a strong proponent of our sector and Bill C-10 is no exception. On June 5th, he told the Banking Committee, "It
is my view that the provision we are discussing today is an unwarranted attack on what
makes us all Canadians. It undermines the efforts of a growing creative industry that is
seeding the opportunity to make our liveable communities grow and prosper for each
and every one of our residents."
He also renamed Bill C-10 as C-1984. To read a full transcript of his remarks on June 5th, please see the link above. Thank you Mayor Miller!
Minister Verner (Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages) will be appearing before the Senate Banking Committee on April 2nd starting at 4:00. You can watch the appearance by clicking on the link above. Click on this link to view the Agenda.
Brian Anthony will also be appearing before the Committee on Thursday, April 10th
The DGC National Director and CEO will be appearing before the committee on Thursday April 10th from 12:00 to 1:00. He will be appearing with ACTRA and WGC representatives, and will be preceded at the witness table by the CFTPA and APFTQ starting at 10:45. You will be able to watch that exchange as it unfolds by going to the link above.
These two releases along with the release from the Senator Hervieux-Payette and Honourable Mauril Bélanger
and the many news articles and personal responses DGC Ontario members have gotten from their municipal, provincial and federal representatives, serve as proof that the politicians and policy makers are listening to the strong voice of the film and television industry and other creative communities.
Brian Anthony, DGC National Executive Director and CEO has been extremely busy with federal contacts, making sure our concerns are taken under serious advisement. So far, bill C-10 has been referred back to the Senate Banking Committee. Brian has requested an appearance before this committee.
We will, as always, keep you informed as to what is happening the news section of our website is updated daily and we will continue to release any information that we have.
Thank you to all DGC Ontario members who took the time to write to your representatives - your efforts are paying off! Remember, if you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to call the office - 416.925.8200.
Letter Writing Campaign - Stop Bill C-10
Hello DGC Ontario,
Below you will find a template letter to send to your MPs, Ministers and Senators - we have also included email addresses for them.
Please take the time to cut and paste this letter into an email and let our government know how you feel. If you want to use the letter, all you have to do is sign your name at the bottom, but this is just a template so please add your own voice and thoughts as you see fit. The government is listening - let’s be sure that all government is listening.
Please feel free to forward this to everyone concerned.
Thank you to all of our members who have taken the time to call and email about this important issue! And thank you for taking the time to send these letters!
If you have any questions, please email or call the office at 416.925.8200.
******
I believe that passing the proposed Bill C-10 will be devastating for the film and television industry.
As a member of the film industry and as a concerned citizen, I am writing to you to ask that no changes be made to the production certification process as determined by CAVCO until an industry-wide public consultation has been completed.
The scope and seriousness of the proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act, which could deny eligibility of tax credits on completed productions determined to be contrary to public policy, would absolutely devastate the financing structure of the screen-based industry in Ontario and this country.
CAVCO certification is a critical trigger for bond qualification, bank facilities, coproduction and other funding access, both Federal and Provincial.
As the majority of screen-based production proceeds only if this condition is in place, the proposed change would leave this national $5 billion dollar industry uncompetitive, unworkable and effectively stopped in its tracks.
I urge you to suspend the reading in the Senate or pursuing royal assent of C-10 until a comprehensive, national industry-wide public consultation has occurred and its findings incorporated.
Sincerely,
******
Call, e-mail or fax your local MP. Click on this link to find contact information for your local MP.
Contact a Senator. Click on this link to find contact information for Senators.
Contact the Ministers. Here is a suggested list of Ministers to contact.
Jean-Pierre Gauthier, Director, Film and Video Policy and Programs, Cdn Heritage.
Attention Facebook Users
There is a group on Facebook who is organizing to fight Bill C-10. If you have a Facebook Account, please take a look at their group and join if you think that it is appropriate. The more voices against this proposed legislation the better!
Brian Anthony will also be appearing before the Committee on Thursday, April 10th