Policy wags from across Canada handed in a great deal of work to the CRTC late last month, answering the federal regulator’s questions about how to fix English-language drama. Proposals put in by CAB, the CFTPA, CBC and the CCAU call for a mishmash of changes to the broadcast system, running the gamut from a redefinition of ‘drama’ and ‘primetime’ to all-around requests for more money.

English-Canadians are finally getting the chance to see what has already become one of the most successful homegrown films, both critically and at the box office after its May 9 release on 136 Quebec screens.

PrideVision sold for $2.6M

The hardest part about covering the U.S. networks this fall has been keeping up with all the cancellations. Coupling? Gone. Boomtown? Also gone. Skin? L.A. Dragnet? Outta here. The Brotherhood of Poland, NH? The Lyon’s Den? Dead as Betamax.

Mike Bullard landed with a thud last month when his late-night talk show brought less than 100,000 viewers to its new home on the Global network. Bullard’s new, self-titled show earned a national audience of just 96,000 when it debuted Nov. 24, according to head counters at BBM, and has lingered at about the same level since, despite a significant ad and promotional push.

This year the 18th annual Prix Gemeaux, held Nov. 22 and 23, celebrated the best in French-language television as well as a renewed sense of industry unity.

The Canadian Television Fund announced $6 million in funding from its Equity Investment Program, administered by Telefilm Canada, in its fall round. In all, 52 English- and French-language documentaries, representing 77 new hours of programming, will be supported.

Axium International, a Los Angeles-based payroll services company with film and television branches in Vancouver and Toronto, capitulated to threats from anti-runaway lobby groups and canceled a Canadian tax-credit information session in L.A. Nov. 14.

Parks Canada has learned that ‘approval’ is a touchy word among filmmakers, and has tweaked the wording of its proposed rules for film and TV shoots, following a flurry of complaints from the industry. But it is standing by its controversial price structure which, if passed by its executive board, could be okayed by Ottawa as early as January.

Vancouver: American studios and networks are working grievance management fees into their production budgets for Vancouver in the wake of increased complaints from B.C. unions, says a U.S. studio representative.

Vancouver: British Columbia’s provincial government and performers union are at odds whether changes to child work regulations will help protect kids or increase the potential for exploitation on set.

When the prestigious Sundance Film Festival gets underway in Park City, UT Jan. 15-25, Canada will be well represented with 13 films already selected, not including selections for the Shorts program.