Supporting Toronto’s Film and Television Production Industry in Response to Current Labour Disruptions - by Councillor Paula Fletcher, seconded by Shelley Carroll

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The decision

2023-07-19 · Toronto City Council · adopted

As filed

City Council on July 19 and 20, 2023, adopted the following: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to support Toronto's production workers, creators, events, organizations, and businesses impacted by the strikes by: a. collaborating with local unions and not-for-profit partners, support on worker retention strategies and responding to evolving industry needs as the environment related to workforce becomes clear; b.

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working with other City divisions to explore financial supports available from other levels of government for individuals and companies affected by the strikes; c. supporting the Toronto International Film Festival by maintaining financial and logistical commitments, amplifying City of Toronto Film Office activations related to the festival, and engaging in ongoing consultation as impacts evolve; d. recognizing the importance of the domestic production industry by showcasing its value during Toronto International Film Festival and leveraging City assets to facilitate production; and e. ensuring Toronto's industry is enabled to engage fully in the reopening of the industry by partnering to support relevant workforce development activities, protecting and advancing the building and expansion of studio space, preparing to market Toronto as a production jurisdiction, and ensuring these initiatives are adequately resourced.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

On July 13, the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists called a strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers after the expiration of their current agreement. Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers membership is comprised of over 350 production entities including major United States studios, broadcast networks, certain cable networks and independent producers.

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This strike is concurrent to the Writers Guild of America strike, which started on May 2. These strikes are having a substantial impact on workers and businesses in Toronto's production industry. In 2022, the production industry drove a direct spend of $2.6 billion in Toronto and employed 35,000 residents. Of Toronto's total production volume, 70 percent is attributable to US productions. In the peak summer production season, Toronto typically has over 30 active productions. The City of Toronto Film Office is currently reporting 6 active productions or only 20 percent of the normal level. Many of these are domestic, as Canadian domestic production is unaffected by the strike. City Council recognizes the significant employment and economic impacts created by the strikes and the potential for lasting damage to Toronto's highly valued production industry if the strikes are prolonged. Reason for Urgency: Labour disruption has already commenced and action is required before the next regular business of City Council.

Staff recommended

Councillor Paula Fletcher, seconded by Shelley Carroll, recommends that: 1. City Council directs the General Manager of Economic Development and Culture to support Toronto's production workers, creators, events, organizations, and businesses impacted by the strikes by: a. collaborating with local unions and not-for-profit partners, support on worker retention strategies and responding to evolving industry needs as the environment related to workforce becomes clear; b.

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On the record

The item as the City filed it

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