FedNor invests $850,000 to support the music, film and television industries in Northern Ontario
News release
Federal funding will support jobs, skills training and attract investment in Northern Ontario productions
June 27, 2023 – Sudbury, ON – Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario – FedNor
Today, Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, announced a FedNor investment of $850,000 to help Cultural Industries Ontario North (CION) promote and grow Northern Ontario’s music, film and television industries. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor, and is expected to create and maintain more than 30 full-time jobs.
Provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP), the funding will help promote and attract private sector investment for music, film and television projects, creating new revenue opportunities for communities, artists and production professionals living and working in Northern Ontario. This includes expanding the Crew Database and the ONStage Music Portal to help producers find skilled workers and connect musicians directly with industry professionals. It will also allow CION to support skills training through a variety of proven initiatives including its Media Arts Production: Practiced, Employed, Developed program, which provides
non-repayable funding of up to $10,000 to film and television productions so they can train crew members for skilled positions.
This non-repayable funding will also allow CION to promote the region by hosting the 2023 Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards and Conference, as well as a series of showcase events featuring local artists. As part of the project, CION will work directly with post-secondary institutions across the region to foster direct learning and hands-on career training as part of regional film and television projects.
Quotes
“Northern Ontario is one of the fastest-growing film production markets in North America and this $850,000 investment in CION will help maximize its economic and employment potential. Pristine landscapes, beautiful venues, skilled workers and competitive opportunities will keep our region top-of-mind as a production hub for music, film and television productions. This strategic investment will help us achieve exactly that!”
- The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor
“I’m pleased this investment in CION will help take our music, film and television industry to the next level by making it easier to produce content here at home in Northern Ontario. In Greater Sudbury alone, music and film production generates an estimated $155 million in economic benefits, while creating more than 5,000
full-time jobs in the region each year. This key industry has become a major driving force for our economy and today’s announcement will help fuel its evolution and continued success.”- Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury
“Entertainment and art are some of the greatest social and economic drivers in Northern Ontario. I’m proud to see FedNor support the development of this booming field and build upon the $850,000 CION announcement made in 2019. This is positive news for Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury as we have the talent and the skills to meet demand”.
- Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages
“Northern Ontario’s cultural industries have been rapidly growing, and CION, with support from FedNor, will fuel new growth and the expansion of our industries through production attraction and workforce development programs. FedNor support will allow CION to deliver programs including training to expand the film crew workforce, development for musicians and their professional careers, and promotional and consultation activities to attract more productions to Northern Ontario. CION looks forward to serving the film, television and music production industries, and thanks FedNor for their recognition and support of this burgeoning sector.”
- Patrick O’Hearn, Associate Executive Director, CION
Quick facts
-
The funding announced today is provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP), which supports projects led by municipalities, First Nations, and other organizations and institutions that promote sustainable community economic development, diversification, job creation, and self-reliant communities.
-
Northern Ontario has one of the fastest-growing film production markets in North America. According to the Freshwater Studios Economic Study, Greater Sudbury’s production industry has an economic impact of over $155 million, generating over 5,000 full-time direct and indirect jobs in Northern Ontario.
-
Since 2015, FedNor has provided more than $299 million in NODP funding to support 858 projects across Northern Ontario.
Associated links
Contacts
Zeus Eden
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor
Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Page details
- Date modified: