The Government of Saskatchewan has completed reviews of the film and music industries.  The review of Saskatchewan's film industry, completed in 2005, has resulted in some of the most competitive film policies in the world. The Music Industry Review, 2007, identified ways to foster growth and increase commercial viability of the sector.

Saskatchewan Music Industry Review

The Saskatchewan Music Industry Review Final Report: The Path to Cultural Commerce (cliquez ici pour le français) was released on October 4, 2007.  Following extensive consultation in the sector, the final report identified three systemic barriers to music industry development:  that the industry is under-resourced, under-focused and under-connected.  As a result, the report recommended that the resources be provided to increase the capacity in the industry for career development, business infrastructure development, and collaboration.

Because the identified barriers are not specific to the music industry, the final report proposed broader solutions to address barriers to development of other cultural industries: film and video, publishing, and visual arts and crafts.  This includes resources that target and encourage business-oriented thought and behaviour in the cultural industries, increased capacity to market and distribute cultural products, a structure to facilitate collaboration between the cultural industries and other sectors, and new policies to support the developing industries.

SaskMusic
SaskMusic is a non-profit, member-based association established in 1987.  It acts as a conduit of information for its members by providing direct links from other music industry associations across Canada and internationally.  SaskMusic continually works toward economic growth as changes in technology bring new methods of distribution and delivery of recorded products.

Review of the Film and Video Industry

In 2004, the government undertook a comprehensive review of the film and video industry in Saskatchewan.  The purpose of the review was to determine the effectiveness and competitiveness of the incentives in place for the film and video industry.  The review considered the economic and culture impact of the industry, the issues and challenges faced by the industry, the level of investment required to sustain the industry and the effectiveness of administrative support for existing programs.

The Saskatchewan film, television and new media industry has experienced tremendous growth in production volumes that have increased from $27 million in 1996 to $48 million in 1998.  This is due to the successful co-production relationships which have been established by Saskatchewan producers with Ireland, England, China, Ukraine, Switzerland, Germany, the US, and other Canadian provinces.

Saskatchewan Film Employment Tax Credit
The provincial government introduced the Saskatchewan Film Employment Tax Credit in the 1998-99 Provincial Budget.  The tax credit rebates 45 percent of the total wages of all Saskatchewan labour for Saskatchewan productions and co-productions.  There is an additional 5 per cent rural bonus and a 5 per cent key bonus, for a maximum of 55 percent rebate of total wages of all Saskatchewan labour. 

Canada/Saskatchewan Sound Stage
The province of Saskatchewan has invested in the Canada/Saskatchewan Sound Stage through Saskatchewan Property Management (now the Ministry of Government Services).  The Sound Stage will provide the industry and the province with an opportunity to diversify on an economic basis, create new collaborations and maximize previous investments in the film industry.

SaskFilm
By working closely with SaskFilm, TPCS is involved in building and supporting the film industry.  The development continues to support development of the indigenous film, video and new media industry in Saskatchewan through financial support to SaskFilm.

Established in 1989, SaskFilm is a non-profit funding agency.  Its mission is to enable the film, video and new media industry in Saskatchewan to continually enhance the quality, quantity and marketability of its products and resources.

SaskFilm actively encourages the employment and professional development of Saskatchewan creative talent, the telling of Saskatchewan stories and supports co-production and marketing initiatives.

Through its role as the provincial Film Commission, SaskFilm promotes the province as a location for out-of-province filmmakers.  SaskFilm actively encourages international and inter-provincial co-production opportunities with Saskatchewan producers.