Dear Editor:
As someone who has worked in the B.C. film industry for more than 40 years, I am appalled to see the lack of support from the B.C. Liberals.
I remember when the first big productions came to Vancouver in the late 1960s, at that time there were only a handful of local B.C. members employed. The rest were from the United States and elsewhere.
Through patience and support, this industry grew from that handful of people to an industry employing more than 25,000, and about 90 per cent are all locals. It was the third largest film production centre in North America, with Los Angeles No. 1, New York No. 2 and Vancouver No. 3, up until recently.
It is a well-known fact that producers from the U.S. and other countries love B.C. for their film productions. We have the locations. We are also only two-and-a-half hours from Los Angeles, and we have the professional film techs who have the knowledge that can get the job done, along with the best studio facilities. But with the economy such as it is, they are forced to go elsewhere.
It also added a $2 billion industry to the province of B.C. People were employed and paying taxes. It has helped local businesses grow. Throughout the years it took a lot of effort to build this industry to where it was, thanks to the people involved, that is until the B.C. Liberals came in to power.
Millions of dollars were invested in local studios like Bridge Studios and many more. These people invested their time, money, hearts and confidence so the industry could be the success it recently was.
In the past, all B.C. governments supported the industry, as it brought in more revenues than the tax breaks it received.
The B.C. Liberals talk about creating jobs, but where are they? It is all talk no action, while they spend millions of our taxes on ads promoting their party.
Cody Tabois, via email
