Canada’s film industry rebounds from coronavirus

Alexandra Miekus
Published: August 3, 2020

The Canadian film and television industry, which like many others around the world had to deal with postponements and cancellations of filming, productions and festivals due to travel restrictions and physical distancing measures, is now looking to the future.

There is no doubt that the resilience of the industry has been tested by COVID-19, due to massive shutdowns and the general weakening of the economy.

Beyond the vulnerability that has been making headlines, the Canadian entertainment industry is now showing that its resilience is great and that it is still going strong.

Throughout Canada, measures are being taken to support artists and technical personnel working in the industry to help ensure its recovery.

Need Canadian work permits for TV & Film? Get a free consultation with a lawyer now!

TV and film is a significant contributor to the Canadian economy. According to the Motion Picture Association of Canada, more than 180,900 people—from special effects technicians to make-up artists and sound editors—worked in the industry last year.

Also last year, television and film production generated $12.8 billion for the Canadian economy.

Over the past week, several Canadian provinces including British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec announced that they are in the final stages of reopening and that they have already allowed filming to resume or are about to do so. They are also authorizing public events and announcing upcoming theatre reopenings.

Notably, to support the film and television industry, the province of Quebec announced several weeks ago the implementation of a temporary multimillion-dollar economic stimulus program.

Need Canadian work permits for TV & Film? Get a free consultation with a lawyer now!

The streaming giant, Netflix, put out a call recently for proposals for Canadian films and series, they are expected to be given approval in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, U.S. film and TV producers have also already resumed rolling in Canada even with travel restrictions still in effect.

Productions are taking place with new COVID-19 protocols, including physical distancing on sets, personal protective equipment for the crew, and special personnel hired for clean-up and additional security checks. Prior to arriving on production sets, actors and crew members coming in from outside Canada are also required to quarantine for two weeks.

Work permits for film and television in Canada

Foreign television and film personnel coming to work on a production in Canada, including film and television shoots or advertising campaigns, may qualify for the following facilitated work permit options:

  • Members of film and television crews, actors and other workers may be able to benefit from the Significant Benefit Work Permit. This permit does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment because film crews working in Canada bring a significant cultural and economic benefit to the country.
  • Producers, on the other hand, may qualify to apply as business investors. To be eligible for this category, producers must submit their CV, proving their qualifications as a film producer.

Need Canadian work permits for TV & Film? Get a free consultation with a lawyer now!

Share this article
Share your voice
Did you find this article helpful?
Thank you for your feedback.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Did you find this article helpful?
Please provide a response
Thank you for your helpful feedback
Please contact us if you would like to share additional feedback, have a question, or would like Canadian immigration assistance.
  • Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
  • Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
Related articles
I’m coming to Canada on a TRV. Can I bring my family with me?
A happy family of three relaxing in the lounge and being playful together
Top 10 questions about Canada’s work permit process
Toronto skyline
Work permit options for TV and film productions in Canada
Tv production
IRCC to provide more flexibility for work permit holders to also study in Canada
IRCC is providing more flexibility to workers who wish to also study in Canada.
Top Stories
Supreme Court of Canada determines that a person can only be inadmissible to Canada if they are a threat to national security
Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta, and New Brunswick invite candidates in latest provincial immigration results.
Express Entry’s Targeted Occupations: How Many Transport Workers Does Canada Really Need?
Join our free newsletter. Get Canada's top immigration stories delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe
More in Express Entry
Express Entry’s Targeted Occupations: How Many Transport Workers Does Canada Really Need?
Smiling chief standing in auto park and holding tablet. In background are trucks.
IRCC invites candidates in first ever category-based Express Entry draw for agriculture and agri-food occupations
Waterfall near Victoria on Vancouver Island.
Canada releases 2022 Annual Report on Express Entry
Children playing together in colourful natural park on autumn day
What counts as eligible work experience for immigration through Express Entry?
Business people having a meeting in a tech company
Link copied to clipboard