Canada Reinforces Cultural and Economic Ties With India

News Release

Audiovisual Coproduction Treaty between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Republic of India to enter into force on July 1, 2014

June 11, 2014 – Ottawa – Department of Canadian Heritage

The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced that the Audiovisual Coproduction Treaty between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Republic of India will enter into force on July 1, 2014. The Treaty will allow producers to combine their creative, technical and financial resources to carry out audiovisual coproductions that will stimulate the economy and enhance knowledge sharing between the two countries.

Treaty coproduction represents significant opportunities for Canada’s competitiveness and prosperity. It attracts foreign investment to the sector, provides stronger support to those working in the audiovisual sector, employs Canadians, taps into foreign markets, and helps realize artistic and technical visions that would not otherwise be made.

This is the first treaty to be concluded since Canada’s Policy on Audiovisual Treaty Coproduction was implemented in March 2013. This policy reflects the changing environment of audiovisual production, allows our Government to better support the Canadian audiovisual industry and makes Canada an audiovisual coproduction partner of choice.

Quick Facts

Canada takes pride in being a world leader in audiovisual treaty coproduction. In the past 50 years, Canada has signed audiovisual coproduction treaties with 53 countries.
In the past 10 years alone, our country has produced close to 681 audiovisual coproductions, with total production budgets of close to $5 billion.
In 2012–13, Canada’s audiovisual sector generated $5.82 billion to the Canadian economy and approximately 127,700 jobs.
An audiovisual treaty coproduction occurs when two or more producers based in different countries combine creative, technical and financial resources to produce an audiovisual project pursuant to the terms of an audiovisual coproduction treaty.
The signing and entry into force of an audiovisual coproduction treaty allows producers to be eligible for domestic benefits in their respective countries. These benefits may include funding programs, fiscal incentives and access to cinema and television screens.

Quotes

“Our Government has actively set out to make Canada a coproduction partner of choice and an even better place to do business. I am pleased to announce today that, on July 1, 2014, the very first treaty since the implementation of our coproduction policy will officially come into effect. This treaty will make Canada a partner of choice in audiovisual coproduction while contributing to the cultures and economies of Canada and the Republic of India.”

- The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages