6 Ways Film and TV Producers Can Benefit from Filming in Canada

Thanks to favorable tax incentive programs, diverse landscapes, and robust infrastructure supported by a skilled workforce, Canada has been a top film and television production destination for many years. Last year’s industry strife caused some disruption, but with labor issues resolved on both sides of the US-Canada border, dynamics in filming jurisdictions are shifting in a positive direction.

Today, an array of new opportunities are emerging across Canada:

• Provinces are expanding production infrastructure, decentralizing access to production amenities, and creating a healthy batch of new filming destinations outside major hubs.
• Tax incentive programs are becoming more diverse and expansive, making it possible for a wider variety of productions to take advantage of valuable credits and rebates.
• Ongoing investments in emerging technologies like LED and virtual stages are providing projects of every shape, budget, and size with more versatility than ever before.

Let’s take a closer look at how and why local and international producers stand to benefit.

1. Provinces are ready to absorb production overflow from BC and Ontario

As production demand continues to grow across Canada, Alberta is stepping up to take on overflow work from production hot spots like British Columbia and Ontario.

The Alberta government has increased its commitment to the film industry by expanding its Film and Television Tax Credit to provide up to 30% back on eligible expenses. When you couple strong incentives with lower production costs compared to Vancouver and Toronto, it’s clear why Alberta is gaining popularity as a full-service production center.

Similarly, Calgary and Edmonton are investing in sound stages and marketing themselves as viable alternatives for productions looking to film in both urban and rural settings.

Manitoba’s capital, Winnipeg, is also appealing thanks to its flexible tax credit program. Producers can choose between:

• A cost-of-production credit of up to 38% on all eligible Manitoba expenditures, or
• A cost-of-salaries credit of up to 65%

The cost of salaries option allows some non-resident labor to qualify as ‘deemed Manitoba labor.’

2. Production hub fringe cities bring more options to the table

While Toronto remains a central hub for film and television production in Ontario, there has been significant growth in film activity outside the city, including in neighboring Pickering and Hamilton, as well as Ottawa and Northern Ontario. These changes are largely attributed to increased demand and a push for decentralization.

Traveling eastward from Ontario, Quebec continues to attract productions looking for an Old World feel. Montreal and Quebec City frequently double in for many European cities without the need to go overseas. Quebec also recently increased its all-spend tax refundable credit from 20% to 25%.

Further east are a trio of Atlantic provinces, each offering attractive seaside locations, panoramic landscapes, and quaint small towns to appeal to productions of all sizes and genres:

• Newfoundland and Labrador offers a 40% refundable credit on qualifying production spend.
• Nova Scotia’s 25% grant on qualifying local expenditures also includes several stackable uplifts to productions shooting outside the city of Halifax, those with more than 30 shoot days in the province, or for productions that hire local talent.
• Prince Edward Island offers a 32-35% all-spend rebate on eligible local production costs with no per project or funding caps.

By offering more space, lower costs, and access to specialized services, smaller cities beyond Vancouver and Toronto are quickly emerging as attractive filming destinations.

3. Incentive eligibility is expanding—making them more accessible

A key driver behind the growth of new filming jurisdictions in Canada is the country’s commitment to continually evolving yet maintaining the stability of its tax incentive programs. Government agencies built to support production across the country are committed to making sure incentive programs are in strong alignment with producers’ wants and needs.

For example, productions have historically been incentivized to film at designated sound stages to be eligible for credits. As producers increasingly shift towards prioritizing on-location shoots, tax credits are being adapted to make them more readily attainable. Some jurisdictions have also made changes that open incentive eligibility up to streaming-only content.

4. Cutting-edge production technology offers endless flexibility

Advancements in new technology—LED, volume, and virtual production stages—have opened up a whole new creative world to producers. Massive green-screen stages with large LED scenes and real-time rendering are making the need for elaborate location shoots increasingly optional. Filmmakers have limitless creative control with the ability to create immersive environments made up of hybrid environments that layer virtual effects over real-life landscapes.

Canada has been quick to embrace this technology, with several provinces investing in virtual production stages. Pinewood Toronto Studios, one of North America’s largest soundstages, recently introduced an LED virtual stage, which allows producers to shoot complex visual effects scenes without leaving the studio. Similar investments are being made in Vancouver, BC and Calgary, Alberta.

5. Funding, crew and infrastructure make Canada a turn-key solution

Strike actions from writers’ and actors’ guilds temporarily slowed production in both the US and Canada—but with agreements in place, activity is beginning to resume. This resolution has created opportunities for Canadian jurisdictions to step in and take on more work, especially as US studios seek cost-effective solutions to ramp up production after months of delays.

Beyond affordability, Canada also prides itself on offering a “turn-key solution” to producers. Ontario Film Commissioner Justin Cutler explains, “It’s based on a combination of having sustainable and competitive tax credits, a world-class workforce, extensive infrastructure – from soundstages to post and VFX and also forward-thinking programs like our Ontario Green Screen program that helps productions go green and embrace sustainability.” He adds that superb customer service from government agencies also plays a vital role in Canada’s appeal.

6. Simplified, competitive incentives are icing on the cake

Finally, Canada's tax incentives agencies have been working hard behind the scenes to streamline and improve application review times. Several provinces, including Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta, have simplified their tax credit applications and modernized their programs, making it easier for international producers to take advantage of the incentives. This has spurred a new wave of interest from international studios looking to maximize their budget and take advantage of these financial benefits.

How to capitalize on Canada’s many production benefits

Canada’s skilled labor force, combined with its tax incentives and infrastructure, makes it an attractive option for American and international producers looking to save costs while maintaining high-quality production values. With provinces across the country enhancing their infrastructure, adjusting tax incentives, and adopting cutting-edge technologies, Canada is poised for continued growth as a global filming destination. If you’re ready to compare incentive programs or explore all that Canada has to offer, get in touch with EP’s team of production incentive experts.