Canada's film production representatives are calling for the federal government to amend controversial tax legislation by making reference to the nation's Criminal Code.
In a presentation to the Canadian Senate today, the Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA) and the Association des producteurs de films et de television du Quebec (APFTQ) said the Criminal Code has been - and should continue to be - the litmus test by which producers guide the content of their works.
As it stands, the proposed amendments to Bill C-10 would give the Minister of Canadian Heritage leeway to deny a producer a tax credit should the finished film's content be determined 'contrary to public policy'.
The vagueness of that phrasing is expected to give pause to film financiers and lenders who rely on the recoupment of such soft money as surety.
Producers typically receives the tax credit 18 months after the production has been shot.
'Canada's producers put forward a simple and practical legislative amendment today that would include a reference to the Criminal Code of Canada in Bill C-10,' said CFTPA chair Sandra Cunningham in a statement.
'From a business financing perspective, it would be devastating for the industry if
subjective and arbitrary decision-making related to content is allowed to remain a part of Bill C-10,' Cunningham added.
Citing the industry's long history of collaboration with both the Heritage and Finance departments, APFTQ president and CEO Claire Samson said, 'The simple amendment we have proposed to the Senate establishes and entrenches the clear parameters of the Criminal Code that Canada's producers already live and work by every day.'
Members of Canadian performers guild ACTRA, including Sarah Polley, are addressing the Senate banking committee as well.
In a presentation to the Canadian Senate today, the Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA) and the Association des producteurs de films et de television du Quebec (APFTQ) said the Criminal Code has been - and should continue to be - the litmus test by which producers guide the content of their works.
As it stands, the proposed amendments to Bill C-10 would give the Minister of Canadian Heritage leeway to deny a producer a tax credit should the finished film's content be determined 'contrary to public policy'.
The vagueness of that phrasing is expected to give pause to film financiers and lenders who rely on the recoupment of such soft money as surety.
Producers typically receives the tax credit 18 months after the production has been shot.
'Canada's producers put forward a simple and practical legislative amendment today that would include a reference to the Criminal Code of Canada in Bill C-10,' said CFTPA chair Sandra Cunningham in a statement.
'From a business financing perspective, it would be devastating for the industry if
subjective and arbitrary decision-making related to content is allowed to remain a part of Bill C-10,' Cunningham added.
Citing the industry's long history of collaboration with both the Heritage and Finance departments, APFTQ president and CEO Claire Samson said, 'The simple amendment we have proposed to the Senate establishes and entrenches the clear parameters of the Criminal Code that Canada's producers already live and work by every day.'
Members of Canadian performers guild ACTRA, including Sarah Polley, are addressing the Senate banking committee as well.
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