Contribution agreements between Canadian Heritage, the Cable Production Fund and Telefilm Canada have been signed, meaning that the new Canada Television and Cable Production Fund can begin issuing cheques.

Over 100 productions with a potential combined budget of $160 million have already applied since the fund was announced in September.

Programs which will be among the first to receive funds include Wind At My Back II from Sullivan Entertainment, Gullages II from Newfoundland’s Snig the Goat, Le Theatre dans tous ses etats from Quebec’s Cinema 3180 BE and The Boys Who Loved Hockey from Saskatchewan’s Independent Moving Pictures.

Phil Lind, chairperson of the ctcpf board, says he expects the new money to extend the production season this year.