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Council race: Ward 11 candidate affirms support for film industry

Derek Young says Greater Sudbury has benefited greatly from movies being filmed here
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Derek Young is seeking the council seat in Ward 11. (Supplied)

Ward 11 candidate Derek Young says he would like Greater Sudbury to be destination for film and creative industries,

Young said millions of dollars have been spent by film companies shooting scenes in the city.

"The film industry is very important to Greater Sudbury's economy and complementary to a number of other economic activities such as Cinéfest, Northern Ontario Film Studios and the proposed Downtown Independent Cinema," he said in a news release.

Young said he fully supports the current location of Northern Ontario Film Studios in his ward.

"I am happy to affirm my support for the film studio in its current location and look forward to growing our film and creative industries," said Young. 

Below is the full text of Young's news release

Ward 11 candidate Derek Young, whose ward include residents in close proximity to the Northern Ontario Film Studios and Rotary Park, is affirming his support for the film and creative industries in Greater Sudbury amidst closing weekend of the 30th Anniversary of Cinefest Sudbury currently being held at Silver City.

"The film industry is very important to Greater Sudbury's economy and complementary to a number of other economic activities such as Cinéfest, Northern Ontario Film Studios and the proposed Downtown Independent Cinema," said Young. "These creative industries create hundreds of job for young professionals in our community."

According to a 2015/16 report by Music and Film In Motion, there were 935 FTE direct jobs and 1,094 FTE indirect jobs in Greater Sudbury's film industry. 

Direct production industry labour income was $56 million with another $55 million in spinoff labour income. The film industry contributed $63 million in direct GDP and $89 million in GDP spin off in Greater Sudbury.

On Oct. 24, 2013, former city councillor and current Ward 11 candidate Terry Kett hosted a community meeting with 50 residents to move the film studio out of its current location, so the former Barrydowne Arena could be converted to a recreation centre as part of Rotary Park. 

More than 50 residents who attended that meeting, turned down Kett's recommendation demonstrating strong support for the film studio and speaking positively about how the film studio has enhanced their neighbourhood.

"I am happy to affirm my support for the film studio in its current location and look forward to growing our film and creative industries," said Young. 

He would also like to see Greater Sudbury taking a more proactive role in promoting our city as a destination for film and creative industries and providing greater supports over and above grants to organizations like Cinefest. 

In 2019, Greater Sudbury will be reviewing its current film bylaw set to expire on Jan. 1, 2020. Young will work with mayor and council, city staff, residents and industry partners to ensure that the new bylaw is film friendly and that Greater Sudbury is competitive and a destination of choice for filming in Northern Ontario.


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