My question is to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Since the beginning of May, the Writers Guild of America has been on strike. This strike by the screenwriters is having an impact on film and television shows in the United States. It is a concern that the strike in America will have a negative impact on the film and television industry in Ontario. With many productions that are filmed in Toronto, we know that these projects help to support our economy.

Speaker, can the minister please tell us if the strike in America will affect the film and television industry in Ontario?

Speaker, can the minister please tell us how our government is supporting more film and television production made in Ontario?

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member from Scarborough Centre for the question and recognizing that that might be an issue, but last year, our domestic film and television productions were very strong, contributing over $1.2 billion to Ontario’s economy—an increase of 25% over the previous year. Our homegrown creativity, talent and self-reliance give us a measure of insulation from external factors like the US writers’ strike.

But I have a little story, Speaker, and I won’t make it long. About two weeks ago, I was at one of Ontario’s outstanding world-class destinations for tourism—the ROM—at a reception. And on my way walking back later in the evening, there was quite a bit going on in the park outside, so I wandered over to see what was going on, and there were lights and so many people. It was production—TV production—outside. Workers working, talent running around—watching it happen is pretty special—

This draws people to our province to do their productions, from the United States. This drives business, drives jobs—not talking about the talent, but the jobs, the careers, Mr. Speaker. It’s not just getting someone in working for a day; it’s long-term careers thanks to many of the people within our ministry—I’m sorry, in our—what do we call it? What do we call this thing? Our party? Yes. Our party drives jobs, Mr. Speaker, and the film industry is the beneficiary of it, as is television.