Ontario Helping Create Jobs and Growth in Northern Television Industry
Province Supporting NBCUniversal Production to Boost Local Economy
Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines, made the announcement today at Northern Ontario Film Studios in Sudbury. The studio contributed to the production of the new NBCUniversal series Eyewitness, filmed in and around Parry Sound, which has created approximately 75 crew member jobs and 640 roles as extras for local residents.
Ontario’s investment in the production has also helped bring over $15 million in revenue to the local economy through regionally-sourced goods and services such as accommodation, security, transportation, catering and equipment rentals.
Support for the television industry in the North is an important part of the government’s Growth Plan for Northern Ontario [pdf]. The plan is helping to create a globally competitive northern economy, support communities, renew and expand modern infrastructure, and support a healthy environment.
Investing in the North’s television production sector is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
Quick Facts
- Ontario has invested more than $2.9 million through the province’s Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), to support the production of 10 episodes of the first season of Universal Cable Productions’ Eyewitness television drama series. Universal Cable Productions is a division of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment.
- Eyewitness, based upon the critically-acclaimed Norwegian series Øyevitne, explores a crime from the point of view of the eyewitness. The series will premiere on USA Network on October 16, 2016.
- Since 2013, the NOHFC has supported the growth of film and television production in Northern Ontario by providing more than $50 million to 91 projects. This has leveraged more than $238 million in direct economic activity. In the Sudbury area alone, since 2013, the NOHFC has invested $24 million in 44 film and television projects.
- Ontario’s film and television industry celebrated its best year ever in 2015, contributing $1.5 billion to the province’s economy.
- Ontario is the number one film and television production centre in Canada and the third largest by volume in North America, behind California and New York.
- Ontario has invested more than $423 million through the NOHFC toward 2,737 projects, leveraging more than $1.3 billion in direct economic activity since 2013. Through these investments, more than 9,800 jobs have been created and retained.
