Advocacy

SMPIA's advocacy work is focused on realizing the vision, mandate and goals of the organization and lead by the Board of Directors.  Some of the ways that we are working and you can work with us are included below. 

Further information on the industry's redevelopment work and the response to the cancellation of the Saskatchewan Film Employment Tax Credit (SFETC) is available at: filmtvsask.com

A new incentive for Saskatchewan Screen-based media

SMPIA committees have been working on proposals for a refundable screen-based media incentive for the Saskatchewan content community.  On May 3rd, industry representatives met with the government to discuss ideas. On May 4th, the government announced a new program that contained some of the ideas that were presented.  The press release can be found here: http://www.gov.sk.ca/news?newsId=494dc677-0fec-4619-ace6-5ad208ee6b48

There were a number of inaccuracies in the release regarding our proposed program.  SMPIA suggested a refundable incentive for the screen-based media meant to serve Saskatchewan Film, TV, Interactive Media, Animation and Special FX companies. SMPIA's press release responding to the announced program on Friday is available here: http://www.filmtvsask.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/media-release-creative-industries-plan-reaction2.pdf

The announced program is a non-refundable program. A video explaining the problem with non-refundable tax credits is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4XIdJyjpjc&feature=youtu.be

We are further concerned with the potential repurposing of the Canada-Saskatchewan Production Studios, a highly specialized film industry resource that is necessary to the production of many big budget film and television programs.  We do not see the loss of infrastructure that is essential for the creative industries to prosper as a positive move for the future of arts and culture in Saskatchewan. 

Thank-you for your continued efforts to help maintain a vibrant media industry in Saskatchewan.

More facts about the industry's economic impact and growth can be found by visiting www.filmtvsask.com

Money Card Campaign

Beginning April 23rd, anyone working in the industry is asked to give a card out each time they make a monetary transaction (for coffee, or gas or groceries or a meal, or to pay a bill etc) to raise awareness of the dollars spent by the film community.  If you are a member of the public recieving a card, please take the opportunity to ask the purchaser any questions you may have about the industry.  If you are an industry member, you can pick up your cards at the following locations below:

Saskatoon card pickup: 

Unreal City (139-2nd Ave N) open Monday from 11AM - 6PM

Turning the Tide (525-11th St E behind Lydia's) Monday 12 - 8PM

Regina card pickup:

Java Post 402-2206 Dewdney Avenue 930AM - 530PM

Zoot Pictures, 2060 Broad St, 2nd Floor 900AM - 5PM

Verite Films, 2146 Robinson Street, 2nd Floor

Areas SMPIA is coordinating volunteers to help with:

  • Social media
  • Students/young people out reach
  • New incentive program development
  • Business community outreach
  • General public outreach
  • Volunteers
  • Advertising agencies out reach
  • Government relations
  • Messaging
  • Communications between the various stakeholder groups, membership and public at large. 
  • Fundraising

If you want to be a part of this please email the following information to helpsavefilminsask@gmail.com who are creating a database of volunteers and supporters.

  • Town/City of Residence:
  • Name:
  • Email:
  • Preferred phone number:
  • Do you own a business?
  • If yes, please state the name and nature of your business:

Information on the Industry Redevelopment Committee and how to contact a committee captain directly is available on SMPIA's Committee's webpage.

If you are members of the following groups, here are some suggested messages that you might want to consider spreading:

Business community 

1. We are thankful to the Government for the tax credit application extension to June 30th, 2012 and the willingness of Premier Wall to work with the Film, Television and Digital Media industries to come up with a new incentive program to insure a healthy industry for the future

2. My business greatly benefits from the economic spinoffs the Film, Television and Digital Media industries creates in the province. Over the last 14 years this industry has generated $____________for my company which has allowed me to maintain ________full time employees.

3. It is extremely important for me and my business that the government work out a new Film, Television and Digital Media incentive program that can help grow this industry and keep the jobs for our young people in Saskatchewan. 

Members of the public

1. I want a Saskatchewan that sees the Film, Television and Digital Media industries flourish. 

2. Media of all forms and on all screens plays an important part of each of our lives. It is important to me (and my family) that we have a Film, Television and Digital Media industry in Saskatchewan so we see ourselves and our Saskatchewan values reflected on these screens.

3. It has taken 25 years to build the Film, Television and Digital industry to where it is today in Saskatchewan. This has been my (our) investment that has brought the industry to where it is today. Please work with the industry to come up with a new incentive program that keeps this vibrant industry flourishing in Saskatchewan. 

4. Successful programs such as Corner Gas, Little Mosque on the Prairie and The Englishman's Boy that were created in Saskatchewan used the current tax credit program and certainly contributed to the turn around in attitude of this province both from within and from the outside. 

People who work in the industry 

1. We are thankful to the Government for the tax credit application extension to June 30th and the willingness of Premier Brad Wall to work with the Film, Television and Digital Media industries to come up with a new incentive program to insure a healthy industry for the future

2. I make a living working in the Film, Television and Digital Media industry. Please don't destroy what has taking 25 years to build and force me (and my family of ____) to move to another province from the place I want to work and live. 

3. I am proud to work in the Film, Television and Digital Media industry. The quality of work coming out of Saskatchewan is some of the best in the world. We have come so far together. Please find a way to create a new incentive program before the current tax credit program expires June 30th. Without a new program crossing over the old program I (my family) will not be able to wait and see and will be forced to move to another province. 

Individuals can help support SMPIA’s advocacy efforts by:

1.      Sending a letter to your MLA, letting them know some of the benefits the province has gotten from our industry, such as:

Contact info for MLAs can be found here: http://www.legassembly.sk.ca/mlas/

You can also contact the Premier at:

The Honourable Brad Wall
Premier of Saskatchewan
226 Legislative Building
Regina, Saskatchewan
CANADA S4S 0B3

Telephone: (306) 787-9433
Facsimile: (306) 787-0885
E-mail: premier@gov.sk.ca
Twitter: @PremierBradWall

and/or

233 Central Ave. N., Swift Current, S9H 0L3. 

And you can also c.c. the opposition so they are aware of your position by copying:

Danielle Chartier 
Saskatoon Riversdale, Constituency Office
1030 Avenue L South, Saskatoon, SK
S7M 2J5
Email: riversdale@ndpcaucus.sk.ca 

2.      Encouraging an industry supplier to send a letter of support for industry to Premier.  Click here for a sample letter. Please send a physical letter in addition to any digital letters you send as physical letters are tracked.  

3.      Strengthening SMPIA by joining or encouraging industry members to join so that we can speak as a large and strong industry association. Join at: http://www.smpia.sk.ca/members/membership-application.htm

In 2010, SMPIA was part of the Film Industry Task Force which set out to find initiatives to strengthen and stabilize the industry within Saskatchewan in the midst of a world economic downturn and increased competition within the sector from other Canadian jurisdictions. 

Other members of the Task Force included:

  • Enterprise Saskatchewan
  • Independent industry members
  • Innovation Saskatchewan
  • Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport
  • SaskFilm
  • Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership
  • SaskTel
  • SCN

 The recommendations of the Task Force were:

  1. Reframe the Saskatchewan Film Employment Tax Credit (SFETC) with respect to tax credit advances, bonuses and digital content production
  2. Make enhancements to the Soundstage rates and marketing 
  3. Increase Development Funding with a priority on indigenous production
  4. Maximize available equity in the province, with a priority on indigenous production

The full report is available here 

SMPIA is continuing the conversation regarding the task force recommendations and other support for the industry.

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