Nova Scotia screen industry ‘net benefit’ to province: study

HALIFAX – A group representing Nova Scotia’s film and television sector says a new analysis proves the value of the industry to the province’s economy.

Screen Nova Scotia commissioned a study by Price WaterhouseCoopers that estimates a contribution to the provincial GDP of $180 million in 2014 when the government provided $24 million in funding via the former film tax credit.

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The study also estimates the industry directly supported 1,600 full-time equivalent jobs in 2014 with an average salary of $43,000.

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Marc Almon, chair of Screen Nova Scotia, says the study – which has not been released to the public but was obtained by The Canadian Press – shows the screen industry is a “net benefit” to Nova Scotia.

The Liberal government scrapped the film tax credit in the 2015 provincial budget, saying the subsidy wasn’t affordable.

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A government analysis cited at the time suggested the value of production amounted to only $66.8 million in 2013-14, generating $39.4 million in salaries and wages.

Read the full report below.