Written by on Nov 5, 2012. Posted in Incentive News

Saskatchewan calls for renewed filming incentive as report criticises cancellation

Filming professionals in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan have called for a renewed filming incentive following a report highlighting its benefits. The province’s Chamber of Commerce found that the incentive more than justified its cost through local services spending.

According to the report, Saskatchewan made an annual loss of CAD1.3 million on the amount it paid out to film productions compared to what it got back in tax dollars. Crucially, the province also made CAD45 million from hotel room bookings, job creation and equipment rentals.

Steve McLellan is Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber and, according to the Canadian Press, told the state legislature: “If you could get that kind of return on every dollar you spent, you probably would. If they had the number in their hand - at CAD1.3 million - I think their decision [to cancel the incentive] would have been different.”

The Government claimed the annual loss to the province was actually higher than the Chamber of Commerce's figure and said it wants to introduce an incentive with “a better model” in the future.

(Image: Saskfilm)