Premier Kathleen Wynne kicked off her six-day trip through Northern Ontario with a visit to the set of the Crave TV hit show Letterkenny on Aug. 6.
A family farm in Hanmer that has stood for three generations was the backdrop for Wynne's announcement that the province will invest $2.3 million through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to fund five film and TV productions that will be shooting in Sudbury, including Letterkenny.
“Our government is committed to ensuring that the film and television production industry in Northern Ontario continues to thrive,” said Wynne. “With today's investment, we are supporting an economic success story that is creating good jobs and growth across the North.”
Sudbury-based Northern Ontario Film Studios (NOFS) supports many film and television projects in the city, through providing sets, props, equipment and crews; NOFS will benefit from the investment as two of their movies are included in this funding.
NOFS and Hideaway Pictures CEO David Anselmo was at the announcement and was appreciative of the support his industry is receiving from the province.
“The Liberal government, over the course of the last little while, through the NOHFC has funded a new industry and created a new industry here in Northern Ontario,” said Anselmo.
“It's allowed a hometown boy such as myself, who has been working in Asia and Europe, to move back home and be close to my family and produce quality television that we're extremely happy to spread to the world.”
Since 2003, the NOHFC has supported the growth of film and TV production in Northern Ontario by providing more than $104.6 million to 164 projects.
The province's investment has helped leverage more than $500.8 million in funding from other partners. In 2015-16 alone, the NOHFC invested $27 million in 45 films and TV projects produced in Northern Ontario.
Wynne commented on capitalizing on the wave of momentum that has been building in Sudbury with shows like The Amazing Race Canada stopping in the Nickel City and now the success of Letterkenny.
“I think there's a particular momentum here in Sudbury, the production studio that has been developed here is a great anchor for an industry and I think you'll see with the investment we're making that there will be more and more opportunities,” said Wynne, adding that it is important to grow and build a local talent pool.
“The talent is being developed here, it will generate more talent by having an investment here. I hear often how people in the North want to have their kids go to school here and stay here so this is another one of those possibilities.”
Wynne will be in Sudbury for the remainder of the day, attending a community BBQ at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 76, hosted by MPP Glenn Thibeault, before visiting the Northern Water Sports Centre and participating in a Grand Entry at the Chi Pow Wow this evening.
