Our industry

Storytelling doesn’t just advance our culture.
It is our culture.

In 2017, Canada’s vibrant film and television production industry generated well over $8 billion in production volume, contributed over $12 billion to the GDP and provided approximately 171,700 full-time jobs.

What unites a population of 36 million citizens, spread across 10 million square kilometres?

In large part, it is the stories we tell to one another and the world. Storytelling doesn’t just advance our culture; it is our culture.

Canada’s independent producers help bring stories to life on screen through the production of compelling content. Working in film, television, and across a host of digital platforms, independent media producers—in companies of all shapes and sizes—tell stories that represent all Canadians and reflect the diverse and varied voices that make up this great land.

 

Total film and television production volume in 2017 = $8.38 billion

39.1%

Canadian film and television production

44.5%

Foreign location and service production

15.6%

Broadcaster in-house production

0.8%

Convergent digital media

In 2017, the industry generated 171,700 full-time equivalent jobs:

61,200

Canadian television production

6,600

Canadian theatrical feature film production

77,000

Foreign location and service production

27,000

Broadcaster in-house production

Number of full-time equivalent jobs generated by film and television production in Canada

2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
2015/16
2016/17
CANADIAN TELEVISION
PRODUCTION
Direct
Spin-off
19,900
30,700
20,300
31,400
21,100
32,600
21,000
32,400
24,100
37,100
Total
50,600
51,700
53,700
53,400
61,200
CANADIAN THEATRICAL
FEATURE FILM PRODUCTION
Direct
Spin-off
3,300
5,000
3,000
4,600
3,200
4,900
2,300
3,500
2,600
4,000
Total
8,300
7,600
8,100
5,800
6,600
FLS PRODUCTION
Direct
Spin-off
15,000
23,200
15,400
23,700
21,500
33,100
21,600
33,300
30,300
46,700
Total
38,200
39,100
54,600
54,900
77,000
BROADCASTER IN-HOUSE
PRODUCTION
Direct
Spin-off
12,100
18,700
11,500
17,700
12,500
19,300
10,200
15,800
10,600
16,400
Total
30,800
29,200
31,800
26,000
27,000
GRAND TOTAL
Direct
Spin-off
50,300
77,700
50,200
77,400
58,300
90,000
55,100
85,000
67,500
104,200
TOTAL
128,000
127,600
148,300
140,100
171,700

What does an independent producer do?

Independent producers do much more than just invest in development. They pitch shows and line up necessary financing from multiple broadcasters, distributors and other financiers. They hire writers, directors, cast and crew. They navigate and apply complex labour agreements, search Canada and the world for the best locations, strategize about how to market our content to audiences both at home and abroad, and bring the finished product to those international markets.

The work of Canada’s independent producers not only celebrates our diverse culture and promotes a cohesive national identity, it also provides economic opportunity. And like other natural resources, our members generate billions in economic activity every year and create good, high-paying jobs. The media production sector promotes prosperity right across the country.

Want to co-produce with Canada?

Canada has international co-production treaty agreements and memorandums of understanding with over 60 countries. Canada makes an excellent co-production partner, thanks to the following attributes of our country and our industry:

  • Variety of financing sources, including federal and provincial tax credits

  • Physical and cultural proximity to the United States

  • Excellent location services and diverse locations/landscapes

  • High-standard, full-service production and post-production facilities

  • Experienced and highly skilled production crews and talent

To learn more about Canada’s co-production treaty agreements, visit the Telefilm website.

CMPA industry research

The CMPA regularly participates in industry studies with a goal of better understanding the issues of greatest importance to our members. Download some of our most recent studies below.

 

 

Profile 2017

An annual economic report on the screen-based production industry in Canada (February 2018)

View
Women and Leadership

A Study of Gender Parity and Diversity in Canada’s Screen Industries (January 2017)

View
Strengthening the Business

Capitalizing Canada’s Content Business (January 2016)

View
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