Northern Ontario film industry weighs in on possible U.S. tariffs

People in the film industry in northern Ontario are monitoring statements from the U.S. president with some concern.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he wants to impose 100 per cent tariffs on movies produced outside the country.

Trump, in a Truth Social post on Sunday night, said he directed the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to "immediately begin the process" of imposing the tariff. So far, he hasn't signed an executive order on the topic.

Trump wrote that other countries "are offering all sorts of incentives to draw out filmmakers and studios away from the United States."

"Hollywood, and many other areas within the U.S.A, are being divested," he wrote. 

It's a message not being well received by Ontario politicians. On Monday, Minister of Economic Development, Vic Fedeli, said the province will "suit up against yet another assault," in response.

"This is a direct assault to our film sector all through Ontario," he said.

Ontario has invested heavily in the film and television industry, offering tax credits to help with the costs of production. Additional support is available for productions being done in northern Ontario through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.

'Closely monitoring the situation'

Janine Oloman runs a talent agency called 46th Parallel Management in Sudbury. She represents about 100 actors who work across Canada.

Oloman said friction between the countries would be bad for the industry.

"The whole U.S.-Canada relationship is so important to the film industry because the films and television shows that are made here usually have creative teams that are composed of both Americans and Canadians," she said.

Several American productions are produced in northern Ontario, which is something Alex Green with White Owl Film Studios in Wahnapitae First Nation, north of Sudbury, said could be impacted.

"So I think things like Hallmarks and the things that we service from out of country are potentially going to be affected," he said.

"But that's all the more reason to foster our own intellectual property and our own creatives."

When asked for comment, the union that represents film workers in northern Ontario provided CBC with a statement.

"At this time, we are closely monitoring the situation following President Trump's announcement, but we do not yet have enough information to provide a detailed comment on how this will impact northern Ontario specifically," said Tiffany Boivin-Brawley, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 634 president.

"The union's official statement calls for a balanced federal response that strengthens U.S. competitiveness without harming Canadian members or the industry overall."

She was referring to an earlier statement made by her union, that said President Trump "correctly recognized" the "foreign" threats to the American film industry, but made clear it was looking for solutions that didn't lead to the "disadvantaging of our Canadian members."