Creative Saskatchewan says L.A. trip during Oscars is essential

REGINA – The CEO of Creative Saskatchewan is coming under fire for taking a four day trip to Los Angeles during Oscar week.

A few months ago, the provincial government declared a ban on all non-essential travel, but this trip taken by CEO J.P. Ellson, who returned on Friday, is calling that into question.

“He was not at the Oscar ceremony. I think we need to make that perfectly clear,” said Michael MacNaughton, Creative Saskatchewan board chair.

He did, however, attend an Oscar party, which McNaughton said was “essential” to promote the Saskatchewan film industry.

“The entire film and television industry was in Los Angeles last week at that event. That’s the time we need to go down there and meet with those people, talk about projects and talk about the fact that Saskatchewan is still producing film and television and that we’re a viable place to look at,” he said.

The NDP is not convinced, given that the government axed the film tax credit in 2012:

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“If there were actual film people representing the film industry in L.A. – that would be one thing but this is a CEO of a crown corporation and I think people in the film industry find it quite hypocritical,” said Cathy Sproule, NDP culture critic.

Sproule said there are a lot of inconsistencies when it comes to what travel the government permits and what it doesn’t.

“We see a lot of extravagant travel when it shouldn’t be happening and yet other ministries are being asked to hold the line on spending,” she said.

Last month, Premier Brad Wall skipped a meeting in Ottawa to cut down on his spending, but the parks, culture and sport minister said the government defers to boards to determine for themselves what is essential travel.

“It’s more in relation to an end result or an outcome: what did we gain based on the trip?” said Minister Mark Docherty.

The minister said he will meet with the CEO to discuss how his approximately $3,600 trip will pay off in the future.