Association des producteurs de films et de télévision du Quebec (APFTQ)'s Annual Convention

Gatineau, Quebec
May 4, 2009

Ms. Samson,
Mr. Roy,
Distinguished guests and parliamentary colleagues,
Dear friends,
Good evening.

Is it often said that Quebecers and British Columbians have a lot in common. Perhaps the friendship that unites us can be explained by the fact that many of us have visited one another's province to learn a little about our second language and a lot about life.

In my case, the more I discover Quebec, the more I meet Quebecers, and the more I am fascinated by their creativity and their open worldview.

This convention has put a special focus on the impact of new technologies on your industry, and rightly so. In the past few years, technology has changed how we create, obtain, and appreciate film and television works. These days, we are more and more likely to watch our favourite shows and movies when we want, where we want, and on whatever platform we want.

For example, I listen to my favourite radio show on my iPhone and watch TV news on my iPod. This is the perfect illustration of how peoples' media preferences are constantly evolving.

Many of you have found various ways to reach a public that is enthralled with technology. Those in interactive media have also had some success. You need to continue this trend. Innovation remains the key to your success.

Your industry is by definition creative and cutting-edge. We know just how significantly it contributes to our cultural and economic vitality, particularly by creating good jobs. In 2007-2008, Canada's film and television industry provided 131,800 full-time jobs nationwide, including 40,000 jobs right here, in Quebec. During this same period, the value of Canada's film and television productions reached a record $5.2 billion.


Our Government supports your industry in various ways, mostly notably through the Canadian Television Fund and the Canada New Media Fund.

As you know, these two funds will merge and become the Canada Media Fund next year. Our investment of $134.7 million per year over two years, together with the contributions of cable and satellite distribution companies, will bring the Canada Media Fund's total budget to over $310 million in 2010.

Everyone here knows that the future is digital. Our Government has chosen to create this new Fund because we want to help Canadian businesses become well positioned to seize the many opportunities that these new technologies will bring.

The money set aside for this public-private partnership is an investment, not a handout. The Government is providing this funding to help maintain and build viable industries that contribute to our economy by putting the interests of Canadians first.

We want to ensure the stability of an important sector and guarantee that the creation of Canadian content is not threatened. The Fund will also help maintain and even create jobs all over the country, bringing vital support to your industry in these difficult times. However, stability does not mean the status quo.

We know that you appreciate our Government's ongoing financial support and our commitment to ensuring the stability of your industry. And I know that we can work together to ensure that Canadians get the audiovisual offerings they want on various platforms.

The Canada Media Fund will help audiovisual content producers do what they do best: create, entertain, and connect with Canadians -- in both French and English.
Change inevitably brings a certain amount of uncertainty and anxiety. I know there are concerns in the industry about the impact of the new Fund on independent producers.




Our Government believes that the best ideas will come when there is a healthy level of competition and when risk taking is rewarded. You are well positioned to succeed in this new environment, particularly given the advances and opportunities that new distribution technologies offer. And while eligibility will be expanded for broadcaster affiliated and in house production, this will be introduced gradually to ensure the continued success of the independent production sector.

Our Government expects that ratings will remain a factor in allocating the funding within the framework of the first component of the Canada Media Fund, as is already the case with the Canadian Television Fund.

Our Government believes that shows can be very high quality and appeal to a wide audience at the same time. We believe in the quality of Canadian content and in the talent of those who create and produce it.

By focusing on productions that audiences want, the Fund will build on the creative sector by fostering a strong Canadian presence through shows that use the talents of our own writers, directors, and actors. Naturally, the Fund will finance Aboriginal and French language productions that honour the unique character of the Francophone market in Quebec and in the rest of the country.

We have also confirmed that the Canada Media Fund will support all the genres previously supported by the CTF -- drama, children's, documentaries, performing arts, and variety. Let us be clear, documentaries are in the mix.

We are making progress in establishing the new Board. Its members will ensure proper stewardship of our funds, and they will possess knowledge of your industry. Most importantly, the Board will have its eyes on the future, ensuring that the CMF makes the most effective contribution to the creation of Canadian content. It will have a formal process to consult all the players in the industry on establishing specific guidelines for the Fund.

In an environment where technologies and the needs of Canadians are quickly changing, I am convinced that our shift to multiple platforms is not only desirable but necessary to the long-term survival of home-grown Canadian content.


Like the rest of the cultural sector, your sector is far too important to our culture and to our economy for us to be content with its simple survival. Given the major role that it plays in our lives, we must ensure that it thrives.

That is why our Government continues to invest huge amounts in cultural industries like the film and television industry.

In fact, in addition to the $1.1 billion that we are investing in the CBC/Radio-Canada to contribute to the viability of Canada's film and television industry, our Government invested over $600 million in your sector in 2007-2008.

And these investments aren't just synonymous with job creation and retention. In Quebec, they translate into your industry's ability to create audiovisual content that brings people together and ignites our collective imagination. These works affect who we are and who we will become.

Canada's Economic Development Plan clearly recognizes the cultural sector's major contributions to the growth and dynamism of the Canadian economy.

This plan demonstrates our Government's unwavering commitment to your sector and shows that we are listening to you.

You may rest assured that we will continue to support your industry. And, as I confirmed to you last week at the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, I can also assure you that we will continue to support Radio-Canada, an important partner for many of you.

As Minister of Official Languages, I am particularly aware of the important role that Radio-Canada plays in the lives of Francophones across the country.

On several occasions, I have reiterated our Government's support for our public broadcaster -- CBC/Radio-Canada.

I believe that our Government's $1.1 billion investment will give Radio-Canada the means to fulfil its mandate and to offer Canadians programming with content that reflects our values and our reality.

In closing, I would like to acknowledge representatives of the National Film Board and Telefilm Canada, two major players that support innovation so that your industry can remain a pillar of our economic growth.

I would also like to congratulate the producers and everyone who worked on the television movie Sticks and Stones, one of the finalists for the prestigious Shaw Rocket Prize.

This film, which benefited from the support of the Canadian Television Fund, was made by Moncton's Dream Street Pictures and Montréal's Cirrus Communications with producers Timothy Hogan, Rick Le Guerrier, Josée Vallée, André Béraud, and Richard Speer. The winner will be announced Wednesday, in Toronto. I wish you the best of luck.

I also want to acknowledge those of you here who will make Canada proud at the Cannes Film Festival in a few days.

And now, it's time to celebrate the movies! I'm really looking forward to seeing tonight's film, which, I am told, will take us back in time and give us new insight into our great country. It's also a wonderful example of cooperation between Canadians in two provinces.

Enjoy the rest of your evening and thank you for giving me the pleasure of being the honorary chair of your opening ceremonies.