Losing Film, TV Jobs to Canada

Allan King, president of the Directors Guild of Canada, claims that “runaway production” is so minuscule that we in California should scarcely notice it (Commentary, July 30). One hundred thirteen productions are confirmed in British Columbia in the first six months of this year, compared with 65 shot in the same period of 1998. While film and TV production in Canada is small today compared to the U.S., Canada’s tax credits and government-built studios demonstrate its intent to build its industry at the expense of our workers.

We too must protect our indigenous product, which is largely independent film and TV productions operating on such slim margins that they require financial incentives to survive. By this, I do not mean the setting up of trade barriers but the incentivizing of our own industry, so long as Canada engages in massive subsidies to entice U.S. production there. Proposals for both wage tax credits and tax incentives for financing film and television production have been offered in Congress. Formal hearings will be held by the Ways and Means Committee later this year.

The film and television industry has been a vibrant and vital part of our economy for decades. Down the chain of production, including suppliers and service companies, these jobs are the lifeblood of tens of thousands of our households. We must do battle for them.

REP. HOWARD L. BERMAN

D-Mission Hills