One of the biggest players in Canadian movie-making says he's on the side of filmmakers.
Paul Bronfman is a member of one of Canada's wealthiest business families. His "Comweb" group of companies is one of the biggest players in Canada's film industry.
It includes "William F White International" -- a company that provides equipment to production companies across Canada, including those shooting in Saskatchewan. It’s been in Regina since 1995.
Bronfman insists his isn't a cultural argument, but rather a purely economic one. He stresses that the economics of Saskatchewan's tax credit are sound and the benefits go beyond simply paying film crew wages.
“It’s really an economic engine. It’s created jobs and spill down effects, in terms of hotels, jobs and car rentals,” said Bronfman.
He says the government's decision is putting $100 million of work slated for Saskatchewan over the next year in jeopardy.
He questions the government’s statement that the industry isn’t viable. He’s run an office in Regina for the last 17 years.
But in order to compete, he stresses the province needs to be on an even playing field. That means offering a credit like every other province and more than half of U.S. states.
He says the skilled crews here are among the best in the world and deserve to be able to continue working.
Edited by News Talk Radio's Karen Brownlee.