The CRTC no longer requires Canadian producers to contribute at least 65% of the financing for an official coproduction in order to access funding from certified independent production funds.

"The [65%] rule may have created a disincentive for producers using the independent production funds," says Jean-Pierre Blais, CRTC executive director, broadcasting. "We’re getting in line with the CTF and Telefilm rules."

Theoretically the coproduction treaties have been put in place to give Canadian producers access to foreign markets, giving them equal national treatment at home in their partnering countries.

But despite the principles behind the system, the best national treatment was going to producers involved in coproductions with 65% and more of their financing coming from Canadian sources, says Blais.

With the removal of the 65% rule, funds can now finance more projects and producers can have more access, which is why in the fall the commission was asked by the IPFS to amend the eligibility criteria.

In November, the CRTC put out a call, which received eight responses, all in favor of removing what Blais calls "the minor irritant."

Each treaty must still have a Canadian producer on board and most agreements still require a minimum financial participation of 20% on the part of the minority partner country. All treaties must also be approved by recognized authorities in both countries, according to established Telefilm guidelines. *

-www.crtc.gc.ca