Canadian politicians have called for unity and a closing of the ranks as Donald Trump’s 25 percent tariffs threat, while paused for 30 days, has left uncertainty looming over a domestic film and TV production sector inextricably tied to Hollywood and the U.S. economy.
“It’s a moment now, the next 30 days for us on both sides of the border to highlight how we do have these strong working relationships, and it’s better if we continue to work together,” Julie Dabrusin, a federal member of Parliament for Toronto-Danforth, told The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday.
She was speaking at a Pinewood Toronto Studios in the city’s Portlands, where Amazon MGM Studios marked one year since signing a multiyear lease for 160,000 square feet of new soundstages and office space at the mega film studio.
Dabrusin argued Hollywood producers have been coming to Canada for decades, and secure big savings from local tax credits and currency savings, and are unlikely to go elsewhere in the face of the U.S. tariffs threat. “There’s already a lot of interest and a lot of knowledge about what’s available here when it comes to talent, when it comes to the crews that are very skilled and support the industry,” she argued.
“We’re a well-known entity, and we’ve shown a proven track record,” Dabrusin added.
Paula Fletcher, a longtime city councillor for Toronto-Danforth at the municipal level, agreed the Ontario industry’s longstanding strong relationships with Hollywood and a reputation for labor and tax credit stability will mitigate any negative impacts from Trump’s aggressive protectionist posture.
Fletcher added the film industry is a service-based and a people business possibly insulated from Trump’s 25 percent tariffs threat and any retaliatory tariffs Canada would impose on the U.S. should the 30-day pause for negotiations fall apart without a cross-border agreement.
“(The film industry) is not an automotive site, it’s not minerals, it’s not potash, it’s not wood. So I’m hoping it can float above everything that’s happening and all those relationships can be maintained and a healthy film industry won’t fall under the impact of the tariffs,” she argued.
The Canadian industry faces challenges from elsewhere, including major Hollywood entertainment players continuing to trim their content expenditures as they return to shoot their originals north of the border after the 2023 Hollywood actors and writers strikes.
