Oh what a year it’s been. From the Olympics to elections, to another Christmas rush, the last 12 months have opened borders, minds and wallets. With our service explosion, the world has been watching to see if Canadian spot-makers make all the right moves. Overall, we’ve made the most of the opportunity to establish this country as a choice roadhouse destination.

Our reputation has grown, and with it, demand to shoot on our snow-covered territories, bathe in our oceans and play on our mountains (Logan or Trudeau, the skiing is great). Until global warming picks up, and Canada’s newly moderate climes make us more ‘sunny and 74’ than l.a. ever was, it is unlikely Canada will be more inviting than it was this past year.

Who can we thank? American actors? Canadian service houses? Our moms? All deserve some kudos. Although some might suggest our greatest debt is to the Canadian dollar which, like the Toronto Maple Leafs, seems weak and getting weaker.

So what of next year? For those who called this year a disappointment, is there any hope for post-strike improvement? Are our roadhouse guests so impressed they will continue to visit us? Or, will international producers choose to sleep in their own beds with their significant others rather than booking hotels (and possibly illicit trysts) in Canada?

And what about our economy? Teetering on the back of gyrating tech stocks like Nortel, are North American markets bouncing us toward a recession at the end of the boom? Typically, the advertising industry is first and hardest hit by economic downturn. Also, are shrinking budgets and a reduced local pool of work reason enough for us to start lovin’ roadhouse jobs – even if they mean we spend all our time with Yankees?

With so much uncertainty, it would be wise for production houses to embrace even the low-margin service jobs next year. Also, if the trend continues, and we are to continue to offer a high-level service destination for American productions, we must be sure to provide quality that absolutely exceeds expectations. Otherwise, Americans with renewed access to union talent will simply stay home.

And what about our poor, neglected Canadian directors? Is it going to be another year of complaints? Or will the industry exercise a little more creativity and come up with a solution? Perhaps ad agency and production house executives could form a council. Here, agencies could talk about exactly what they’re looking for in a reel these days. It seems unlikely they are rejecting fellow Canadians based solely on nationality; what’s not clear is the rationale (if it is rational) behind rejecting so many Canadians so often.

Who knows, if we make the Americans comfortable enough they might get the urge to hire more Canadian helmers. Maybe if our guys have work down there and their guys have jobs up here no one will have to use local talent and everyone will have work. Yeah, and what a year that will be.