Written by on Nov 6, 2012. Posted in Incentive News

Manitoba defends filming incentive against subsidy claims

On Screen Manitoba has defended the role of its filming incentive. Nearly CAD15 million was paid out to production companies in 2011/12 by the Canadian province famous for its polar bears and one organisation argues the programme should be looked at more carefully.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation claims that the incentive is more like a subsidy that gives the film industry preferential treatment over other types of businesses. Manitoba has refused to name the productions that qualified for the payments last year, which has aggravated the situation, the Winnipeg Sun reports.

Every production that we do in Manitoba benefits from the Manitoba tax credit. That’s why they shoot here.

Jean du Toit, Buffalo Gal Pictures

Jean du Toit is Head of Business Affairs for Buffalo Gal Pictures in Winnipeg and spoke to the outlet: “Every production that we do in Manitoba benefits from the Manitoba tax credit. That’s why they shoot here.”

Manitoba’s provincial neighbour Saskatchewan prompted uproar earlier this year when it abruptly cancelled its filming incentive. Film professionals in Manitoba will be looking to avoid a similar situation.

(Main page image: Ansgar Walk)