Toronto’s Tricon Films & Television has inked a deal with SyFy for a third season of Vancouver-made series Sanctuary.

The U.S. cable channel ordered 20 episodes for outing three – up from 13 for its second season — signaling a ‘vote of confidence’ in the futuristic show, according to creator, writer and exec producer Damian Kindler. There’s no word if Canuck broadcaster Space would fly along for round three.

‘A 20-episode order is humbling,’ Kindler tells Playback Daily. ‘It’s what every showrunner hopes for… we’re beyond thrilled.’

Kindler’s partners on Sanctuary through their Badger Productions shingle are co-exec producers Amanda Tapping and Martin Wood. Tapping also stars as the series lead, Dr. Helen Magnus, a scientist who holds the secrets of a clandestine population that hides among humans.

Kindler says season three will divulge ‘new secrets about monsters in the world that will surprise even Magnus.’ The green-screen series is budgeted at roughly $2 million per episode.

Season three will begin shooting in February or March, and will likely debut October 2010 in its usual Friday slot, according to Kindler, though SyFy has yet to confirm the broadcast schedule.

Sanctuary airs in over 95 countries, including Japan, Australia, Germany and the U.K.

______________________________ This story has been corrected. The original misspelled Wood’s name.