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Across the country, arts and cultural organizations strengthen communities and create opportunities for Canadians to connect through shared stories and experiences. As the world changes rapidly, the Government of Canada is focused on what it can control: investing in the people and organizations that foster connection, celebrate our diversity and bring Canadians together.
Today, Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, announced a FedNor investment of $850,145 for Cultural Industries Ontario North (CION) to help grow Northern Ontario’s music, film and television industries. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for FedNor, and is expected to create and maintain close to 45 full-time jobs.
Provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP), this funding will help attract new music, film and television projects to Northern Ontario while encouraging additional private-sector investment in the industry. These investments will create new opportunities for artists, production professionals and communities across the region.
Through this project, CION will support skills training for artists, crew and emerging talent through initiatives such as its Media Arts Production: Practiced, Employed, Developed program. Through the program, film and television production can access up to $10,000 in non-repayable funding to train crew members for skilled positions.
In addition, this non-repayable funding will pave the way for CION to promote the region by hosting the Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards and Conference, as well as a series of showcase events featuring local artists and emerging talent. As part of the project, CION will also work directly with post-secondary institutions across the region to provide students with hands-on learning opportunities and career training as part of regional film and television projects.
“Northern Ontario is full of talented artists, creators and storytellers who deserve the opportunity to build successful careers close to home. Through music, film and television, artists help strengthen communities and build the connections that unite us as Canadians. This investment will help more creators share their talents, create new opportunities across the region and contribute to a stronger, more connected Canada.” – The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor.
“Today’s announcement will help take our music, film and television industry to the next level by making it easier to produce content here in Sudbury and across Northern Ontario. Our region at home an abundance of artists, crew and emerging talent that can help any production thrive. With more than 400 film and television projects filmed across Northern Ontario, this key industry has become a major driving force for our economy. This includes over $200 million in economic activity for Greater Sudbury alone.” – Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury.
“Thanks to FedNor’s continued support, the impact of Northern Ontario’s music, film and television industries now reaches far beyond our region. Our artists, stories and productions are finding audiences around the world, while generating meaningful careers and business opportunities here at home. This investment will allow CION to build on that momentum by attracting new productions, developing our workforce, supporting emerging talent and creating new opportunities for Northern Ontario’s creative industries to compete on a global stage.” – Patrick O’Hearn, Associate Executive Director, CION
The funds announced today are in part provided through the Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP), through which FedNor invests in projects led by municipalities, First Nations, and other organizations and institutions that support community economic development, diversification, job creation and self-reliant communities in Northern Ontario.
Northern Ontario has one of the fastest-growing film production markets in North America. According to the Freshwater Studios Economic Study, Greater Sudbury’s production industry has an economic impact of over $155 million, generating over 5,000 full-time direct and indirect jobs in Northern Ontario.
Since 2015, FedNor has provided $354M in NODP funding to support 883 projects across Northern Ontario, which has leveraged an additional $754 million from other sources.
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