TORONTO, ON — The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) welcomes the commitment of the Government of Canada to support the Canadian Audio-Visual Industry with an additional investment of $600 million per year.  While the details of this investment have yet to be released, the IATSE will continue to advocate on behalf of our membership that this level of funding supports cultural sovereignty by the telling of Canadian stories to a world market.  This includes maintaining strong support for French language content, Indigenous storytelling and content created by and for equity deserving groups.  

The IATSE has long maintained a flexible approach to the On-Line Streaming Act and the need for the CRTC to weigh and consider the increasingly complicated forces, both domestic and global, which are impacting the industry. 

A strong industry which supports Canadian Creative voices recognizes the need for a strong domestic sector as well as a vibrant foreign service sector.  The two are not mutually exclusive. There was a time not too long ago when the industry recognised this reality and spoke with one unified voice.  Stability has been a cornerstone for the growth of our industry.  This period of relative uncertainty needs to conclude to ensure both foreign and domestic producers have the confidence to invest in the industry and in good-paying Canadian jobs.    

The IATSE will once again be a strong advocate for its members and for the entire industry as the CRTC takes these matters under consideration.  The IATSE will continue to speak to sustainable funding requirements which take into account current levels of investments to support the domestic industry and Canadian Creative talent.