Toronto - "Hollywood North"

Making Movies - Canada's Fast-Growing Industry

Authors

  • Naish McHugh Industrial Liaison Manager, City of Toronto, 1987

Keywords:

Runaway Production, Toronto, Telefilm Canada, Economic Benefits

Abstract

In Canada, film and television production had been actively growing. Along with federal government support, there was a boom in the Canadian film industry back in 1979 and 1980. Although this positive trend did not last long, Telefilm Canada was later founded to support Canadians feature films and guarantee the pre-arrange of distribution. The growing production demand of American films in the past decade encouraged U.S. producers to consider Canada as a runaway production location to avoid strict regulations and excessive fees being imposed in the states. Given that the film production in certain jurisdictions often brings in significant economic benefits and creates new jobs, a competition was fierce. However, Canadian cities were a more attractive option for runaway production since it is easier to save costs on various products and services. Toronto became the third largest production center in North America. Despite a certain level of volatility that resonates with the film industry, Toronto achieved significant success and gradual stability over time.

Author Biography

Naish McHugh, Industrial Liaison Manager, City of Toronto, 1987

A former mining surveyor with the National Coal Board in England, Naish McHugh came to Canada in 1957 and worked in the same capacity in gold and uranium mines in Northern Ontario. Commencing his service with the City of Toronto in 1959, he served his term of articles as an Ontario Land Surveyor with the City Surveyor. His involvement with local survey work on the residential redevelopment areas of the inner-city during the 1960's led to a position of Development Officer with the former City Development Department. Harbour Square and the Railway Lands development (formerly Metro Centre) were some of his co-ordination responsibilities. In 1976, he was designated the first City of Toronto Industrial Development Officer. He is now Industrial Liaison Manager with the Economic Development Division of the Planning and Development Department, with the added responsibility of Film Liaison since 1979. He has a BA in Urban Studies and was in the original group of recipients of the Economic Development Certification (Ec.D.) in 1983.

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Published

2020-11-18

How to Cite

McHugh, N. (2020). Toronto - "Hollywood North": Making Movies - Canada’s Fast-Growing Industry. Economic Development Journal of Canada, 6–11. Retrieved from https://ecdev.journals.yorku.ca/index.php/default/article/view/107

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Section

Articles