TORONTO (September 1, 2026) – U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand for a federal film and television production incentive is a stark reminder that governments around the world understand the strategic importance of a strong domestic screen industry. While nothing has yet been decided in the United States, the message to Canada should be unmistakable: we must bolster our domestic industry immediately.
The issue is not President Trump’s announcement. The U.S. has been debating ways to bring production home for years. The issue is what Canada does next.
Canada’s film and television industry contributes nearly $12 billion to our GDP and supports more than 181,000 good Canadian jobs. It is an economic powerhouse that deserves the same strategic attention the government gives to other major Canadian industries such as automotive, steel, and dairy.
Foreign productions shooting in Canada employ world-class Canadian performers and crews, support local businesses and bring billions of dollars into communities across the country. But they cannot be the foundation of Canada’s screen sector.
If Canada does not strengthen its domestic industry with Canadian stories, made by Canadian storytellers, we risk one of two outcomes: American productions electing to stay in the U.S. as a result of their own tax-incentives, hollowing out our production ecosystem; or they stay, leaving Canada increasingly dependent on a single foreign client for the health of our industry. A refrain which is playing out across Canada amid our ongoing trade dispute.
ACTRA is calling on the federal government to act urgently:
· Bolster domestic production with stronger, predictable financial support for Canadian producers, Canadian stories and Canadian creative talent.
· Implement and protect the CRTC’s 15% Canadian programming expenditure requirement for online streaming services, ensuring foreign streamers reinvest in the Canadian stories and talent from which they profit greatly.
· Diversify internationally by attracting more productions and investment from markets around the world, rather than relying as heavily on the United States.
“It’s now more important than ever, that Canada keeps its focus on producing more Canadian stories here at home.” said ACTRA National President Eleanor Noble. “Canada must support its own industry, and we must carve out our own place in the world.”
It is time for Canada to treat culture like the major Canadian industry it is.
About ACTRA:
The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) is the national union of professional performers working in recorded media in Canada. ACTRA represents the interests of more than 30,000 members across the country — the foundation of Canada’s highly acclaimed professional performing community.
Media Contact: Carol Taverner, Public Relations Officer: ctaverner@actra.ca