British Columbia is bringing its tax credits in line with Ontario’s, and plans to offer breaks of 35% for at-home productions and 18% for the rest until 2010.

The new tax credits, unveiled Friday by provincial Finance Minister Carole Taylor, match those introduced earlier this month by Ontario. Both centers have seen film and TV work dwindle since last year, in part because of the buoyant loonie. More recently, the WGA strike has also taken a significant bite out of the usually busy TV sector in B.C.

‘Last year, we consulted extensively with the industry, and they told us that our tax credit program plays an important part in making British Columbia a world-class destination for film and television production,’ said Taylor in a statement. ‘Today is an opportunity to reiterate our commitment to the industry with new rates that reflect recent changes in other jurisdictions.’

If the changes are approved by lawmakers, the Film Incentive B.C. credit, for production companies in the province, will go up to 35%, from 30%. Further breaks, including 12.5% for productions shot outside the Vancouver area, are already on the books.

Other Canadian and foreign production companies will see the Production Services Tax Credit jump to 25%, up from 18%. It comes with an unchanged 6% bonus for work done outside the Vancouver area.

The move by B.C.’s Liberals brought a cheer from the provincial industry.

‘Today’s decision sends a strong signal to B.C.’s film industry and its customers that the provincial government believes this industry has an important future and a significant role to play in B.C.’s knowledge-based economy,’ said Peter Leitch, chair of the Motion Picture Production Industry Association of B.C. ‘It also gives us the stability to continue to develop other areas where B.C.’s industry is leading the way, such as environmental sustainability.’

The new tax breaks will apply to productions that were underway by Dec. 31, 2007.

Last fall, Nova Scotia also upped its tax credit to 50%, up from 35%. With bonuses, the credits in that province go as high as 65%.