In the ministerial fashion, and on the street, it seems all the talk is about low productivity in the land. At the CFTPA Prime Time conference in Ottawa, industry movers and shakers worried about the production outlook, retrenchment in the TV advertising market and threatening trade issues. That makes sense. Competent, honest leaders in business and politics are paid to worry, isolate problems and solve them.

But consider for a moment what outsiders are saying about the Canadian film and TV industry.

Sir Michael Grade, chair of the U.K.’s Pinewood Shepperton Studios, in Toronto to announce construction of a major motion picture studio complex: ‘There’s a wealth of production talent and we’re really looking forward to establishing ourselves here and building upon our history of high-quality film and television experience.’ Also prompted by international clients, Montreal is undergoing an important expansion of its own soundstage resources. And, anyone with knowledge of the production scene in this country will not bet against B.C.

Or Jeremy Kinsman, Canadian High Commissioner to the U.K., in an address at Prime Time. ‘One of my recurrent theses in the U.K. in general – for business – for science – for international policy – is that they actually need Canada – the other country in North America, a possibly more comfortable partner for them in many areas. There is danger in over-reliance on the U.S. It’s still partly the image-thing. We are too often seen as a U.S. derivative. So they want the real thing! Someone in Britain recalled a description of the Canadian film scene as ‘living upstairs above a party.’ The truer image of Canada is not that and we need to get it across better.’

Or Jack Valenti, president and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America, greeted to roars of approbation at Prime Time. He says his clients, the U.S. studios, do not support countervailing measures against Canadian service productions, and made it clear talented crews and a competitive technical and service infrastructure make Canada a first-rate place to do business. Canada is margin heaven for MPAA member companies, and Valenti’s standard indictment of protective barriers is mostly intended for youthful ears.

In its latest survey, the CFTPA reported the three major production centers were over the $1 billion level in 2001, and if domestic content production slipped in Ontario last year, perhaps it’s time the OMDC received a fraction of the resources SODEC has in Quebec.

And there’s reason to be forward-looking about our own moviemaking prospects.

The Genies showcased diversity and some of the industry’s bright new talents, honoring the remarkable achievement and perseverance of the creators and producers of Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner).

The Quebec movie industry continues to inspire, winning close to a 10% share in its own market. And on the English side, results will definitely improve in 2002 after bottoming out last year. The pipeline in 2002, the first crop of films produced through the $100-million Canada Feature Film Fund, includes more than a dozen new Canadian movies, produced with enhanced resources, from some of our favorite directors.