With its beautiful diverse landscape, it’s no surprise to see why northern Ontario is becoming a highly sought-after destination for many film production teams aiming to create high-quality content. Unfortunately, the film industry experienced challenges during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. We as a government must make the necessary investments now to ensure that the film and entertainment industry in northern Ontario remains competitive.

Can the Minister of Northern Development please share how our government is supporting this vital industry?

Northern Ontario truly represents a unique part of the world. We have a unique cultural contribution to the filmmaking and entertainment sector, with individuals representing Indigenous, French and English communities, as well as new Canadians. Together, the north contributes to producing unique, high-qualify film and entertainment content that the world enjoys.

Once again, can the Minister of Northern Development please outline the investments our government is making for this sector and how they will benefit northern communities?

I want to thank the member from Thunder Bay–Atikokan. Since joining our caucus, he has been a tremendous influence. He has presided over consultations that are bringing home to bear an important sector emerging in northern Ontario, and that is the film and television industry.

At the last NOHFC meeting, we announced more than $6 million for film and television production. Some of those resources are going to support production companies that would book no more than 10 major productions moving forward. That’s significant, Mr. Speaker. If you look at the numbers, we’ve invested more than half a billion dollars in the new-look Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, which has leveraged more than $1.82 billion in investment and created more than 7,500 jobs. The film and television stream of the NOHFC has been redesigned to expand the industry across northern Ontario, create more jobs and create better film and television seen the world over.

The member is on to something. We saw first-hand how this helps local residents. Young people are going to college in northern Ontario to work on stages in northern Ontario. From construction to production, from stagehands to stars, from the landscape to “lights, camera, action,” people in the filming sector are talking about Hollywood North, Mr. Speaker; it’s just that it’s Hollywood Northern Ontario.