Image: File photo, Government of B.C. via Flickr / During a campaign stop in Langley on Sept. 28, B.C.s NDP leader David Eby promised an increase in the Production Services Tax Credit and Film Incentive BC refund to increase the number of film workers in the province.  

By Don Mitchell

production jobs

NDP’s Eby promises more local film industry jobs, if elected, during Langley stop

Sep 28, 2024 | 4:26 PM

LANGLEY — NDP Leader David Eby is promising to “grow good-paying jobs” across B.C.s film industry through changes to a tax credit, if he’s elected.

During one of two stops in the Fraser Valley on Saturday, Eby pledged to increase the Production Services Tax Credit and the Film Incentive BC refund to 36 percent, which he believes will create some 7,000 jobs.

“Film production in B.C. has taken a big hit over the last few years–from the pandemic, labour disruptions south of the border, and changes to the way industry does business,” Eby said in a statement prior to visiting Martini Studios in Langley.

“We’re going to take action to respond to this new reality and get thousands of talented workers new opportunities.”

He also called on Ottawa to do more to help production in B.C., suggesting that the Canada Media Fund is using broadcast fees from British Columbians to subsidize productions in other provinces.

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We’ll support BC’s TV and film workers by boosting the Production Services Tax Credit and Film Incentive BC refund so we can bring more international productions here. This means adding 7,000 local jobs and confirming BC as the top spot to create the stories we all love to watch. pic.twitter.com/DGGsTfIBSz

— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) September 29, 2024

Eby insists this favors eastern producers and contributes to 18,000 jobs in Ontario while supporting fewer than 4,000 in British Columbia.

After the early afternoon visit to Martini Studios, Eby met up with fellow NDP candidates Kelli Paddon (Chilliwack-Cultus Lake) and Dan Coulter (Chilliwack North) at a barbeque in Chilliwack.

Earlier, the leader of BC’s Conservatives, John Rustad, traveled to an Abbotsford dairy farm and promised legislation to help double food production and “get rid of red tape.”

Rustad revealed plans to overhaul the Agricultural Land Commission if elected this fall.