At the request of the CRTC, CanWest MediaWorks has created the $10.5-million CanWest Alberta Fund to boost homegrown production in Canada’s oil country.

The federal regulator told CanWest to create the fund — which will provide equity investments of up to $300,000 per project for drama, documentary and lifestyle productions that are licensed by Canadian broadcasters — after granting the media giant permission to extend its Red Deer station signal to Edmonton and Calgary in June. The CAF will exist for seven years, the media giant announced yesterday in a press release.

‘Thank God for the CRTC. That money wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for that requirement,’ says Calgary-based producer Chad Oakes of Nomadic Pictures. Nomadic’s miniseries Broken Trail — coproduced with U.S.-based Once Upon a Time Films and Butcher’s Run Films — recently picked up a creative arts Emmy for best casting. Oakes and Nomadic coproducer Mike Frislev are also nominated in the outstanding miniseries category at the Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 16.

‘We’ve also got a few shows that are short a few shekels, so this will come in handy,’ he adds. His upcoming TV projects include an MOW helmed by actor Jason Priestley (Beverly Hills 90210) called The Other Woman.

The CAF’s application process also appears to be relatively streamlined, says Oakes. ‘It’s very simple and straightforward in terms of eligibility. It’s a breath of fresh air and some much-needed help. We’re battling the higher dollar and lower broadcast licene fees, so this is going to be very well received.’

The CAF is administered as a program of the Independent Production Fund, and will be managed by Jane Bisbee, the former arts and cultural industries development officer for the province of Alberta.

Application. deadlines are Oct. 15, March 15 and May 1. Guidelines for the fund are available at www.ipf.ca