Letter from Vancouver Island South Film and Media Commission

Board of Directors

Executive

Annie Wong-Harrison, President Paul Rayman, Vice President Don Enright, Secretary Todd Webber, Treasurer

Directors

Barb Coultish Edison Kahakauwila Donna Petrie John Espley Darlene Tait Michael Reid Marilea Pirie Hazel Braithwaite

February 26, 2021

View Royal Town Hall 45 View Royal Avenue, Victoria BC V9B 1A6

Dear Mayor Screech & Council,

In the face of great challenge, this has been an exceptional year for film and television production in the CRD. With so many businesses suffering, our industry delivered its highest level of economic activity to date with $50 Million estimated direct spending in the region. Local film and television production continues to fill hotel rooms and bring much needed relief to the local economy. Producers have achieved this while following strict Covid protocols to protect both crew and the public.

2021 is a critical time for BC’s screen industry, working through the Covid crisis to retain billions of dollars in spending and over 70,000 full time equivalent jobs. In order to ensure the same for Greater Victoria, we need your support to continue bringing the Town of View Royal to the attention of producers worldwide. Throughout the Covid crisis, the Commission has been extremely busy, helping to bring the local industry back on line and assisting the rush of productions that preceded the restart in July. This creative sector economic development creates high paying, green jobs for local film crew, and supports a wide range of businesses throughout the CRD including accommodations, airlines, vehicle and equipment rentals, taxis, film locations, parking services, restaurants, catering, copiers and much more.

Despite the ongoing crisis, the region has seen record production levels with four television series for Netflix and Lifetime Networks, ‘The Maid’, ‘VC Andrews’, ‘Ruby Landry Saga’, ‘Superpups’ and ‘Scaredy Cats’, five television movies for the Hallmark Channel, commercials for A&W and Infinity and a host of others. Unfortunately, our revenue has fallen due to cutbacks from all levels of Government, the loss of some business sponsorships and our inability to hold fundraising events during Covid. To help address this deficit we are asking View Royal to increase their annual grant to $2000

We thank you for your partnership and renewed commitment. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Gilbert, Film Commissioner

514 Government Street, Victoria BC V8V 2L7 Tel. (250) 386-3976 Toll Free 1-888-816-3456 admin@filmvictoria.com www.filmvictoria.com