They weren’t able to name many films, television shows or video games made in Toronto, but three candidates for mayor told local screen industries representatives they’d work hard for them, if elected.
Olivia Chow, David Soknacki and John Tory, it turns out, are fans – at least, of the well-paying jobs and economic spin-offs the $2.5-billion-a-year industries bring to Ontario, most of it to Toronto.
Each told a FilmOntario gathering at Pinewood Toronto Studios they would fight cuts to film and television production tax credits, trim red tape for productions, and generally make Toronto more "film friendly."
Many North American governments have cut back on the tax credits and some economists have criticized them, said Jonathan Barker, the debate’s moderator and a board member of FilmOntario, which represents 30,000 people connected with screen industries.
Economic reports demonstrate the tax credits are profitable for governments which grant them, Barker said.
"It’s an absolute business no-brainer," agreed Tory, during what was often a less-than-animated discussion inside a large, soundproofed building on Commissioners Street.
The current frontrunner, Tory said he fought as Ontario’s former Progressive Conservative leader to enrich and expand the credits, but said provinces which are more generous – Manitoba, say – don’t have the "human infrastructure" that draws people to Toronto.
"It’s not all about the money."
Pledging he would "sell, sell, sell" to get more productions to Toronto, Tory suggested Ontario and Toronto need a permanent presence in Los Angeles, "to be there, all the time, selling."
He added he was "astounded" Mayor Rob Ford – current "chief salesperson for the city" – had not mounted a high-profile "welcome to Toronto" campaign to start the city’s international film festival this week.
Olivia Chow called screen industries are now a vital part of Toronto, a city "seen as a global powerhouse" and able, through the diversity of its residents, to link itself to the entertainment industries in India, China and Taiwan
As mayor, she said, she would ensure more "predictability" in getting film permits and raise the city’s per capita spending on the arts from $22 to $25.
"If we are to compete, we need to invest," said Chow.
The former city councillor said Toronto’s Economic Development Division, which handles industry requirements, is now "seriously understaffed," and she would restore the city’s film commissioner to being a full-time position.
David Soknacki, another mayoral candidate, promised "red carpet treatment" for the industries at city hall, and promised to make the city friendlier to creative workers, including thousands working for smaller businesses whom Soknacki said could benefit from additional live-work zoning and the ability to renew licenses online.
"We are a knowledge-based economy (in Toronto) and that’s what makes us thrive," said Soknacki, also a former city councillor, who marveled that the Pinewood facility, "derelict not 15 years ago" had been "reborn as a hub of jobs, action and the future."
Ford was absent from the debate. After first accepting the invitation, he told FilmOntario over the weekend he couldn’t attend because "something came up," Barker said.
Later, film and television actor Zaib Shaikh, named the city’s latest film commissioner in May, would not comment on Chow’s contention the film office is understaffed but agreed with audience members who said the staff work hard to meet the needs of productions.
"We are a 24-7 shop" which producers can reach at any time, Shaikh said.
The most dramatic portion of the morning event was a delay caused by a fourth mayoral candidate, D!ONNE Renee, who walked onto the stage before the others could begin.
Amid growing frustration in the audience, Renee, an actor and aspiring filmmaker argued as a member of that industry, she should be welcome to participate.
"I’m speaking for the 98 per cent who want all our voices to be heard," added Renee, who later said the crowd of 120 was packed with executives "nobody (who) looked like me."
"We want something different," she shouted as she was led behind the stage after several minutes.
Paul Bronfman, chairman of Pinewood Toronto Studios, apologized for the disruption. "It was fun, though," he added.
Later, outside the property, Renee said she wanted, as mayor, to create a mental health plan for the city. "This is an issue that we’re not talking about," she said.
In responding to questions, Tory revealed he’s not familiar with any video games produced here - "I’m not of an age where I play a lot of games," he said – but does enjoy the 2009 erotic thriller Chloe, which showed Toronto as itself.
Chow said she regularly watched episodes of the police drama Flashpoint on flights back and forth from Ottawa, and admires the actress and director Sarah Polley. "All her movies are really showcasing Toronto."
Soknacki, though given the question in advance, struggled to name a single film made in the city.
"I’m not a large consumer of films," he said, but praised the hard work he said film companies do to make Toronto neighbourhoods feel good about filming.
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