Alberta
Getting to know… AMPIA
What is AMPIA?
Alberta Media Production Industries Association (AMPIA) is a vibrant non-profit, member-driven association that leads, builds and promotes Alberta’s screen-based production industry.
When/how/why was it formed?
AMPIA was the first film and television Industry Association in English-speaking Canada. It was formed in 1973 by a small but energetic group of industry professionals in order to represent their common interests and to advocate for and promote the Alberta Film & Television Industries. The primary method of promoting the achievements of the Industry is through the Alberta Film and Television Awards, which just celebrated their 45th Anniversary, making them the longest-running film and TV Awards show in English Canada.
How does it support Media production in the province?
The mandate of the Alberta Media Production Industries Association (AMPIA) is to promote and support the growth of screen-based production within Alberta. This is accomplished by providing services in Communications, Professional Development, Marketing, Membership Benefits and Advocacy to all levels of Government and regulatory bodies such as the CRTC.
How many members are there in the association?
AMPIA has approximately 200 individual members as well as member companies, representing over 2,000 industry professionals — a cross-section that includes producers, directors, screenwriters, performers, craftspeople, distributors, exhibitors, broadcasters, digital and web-based content creators and students engaged in film and media studies.
How large is Alberta’s Media Production Industry?
Volume of production in Alberta in 2017-18 was $308 Million, making it the fourth largest in Canada after BC, Ontario and Quebec.
How has the industry changed in the past 10 years?
The major change in the Industry is the rise of OTTs (Over the Top) distribution platforms such as Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime. These platforms operate in the Canadian market and yet make no contribution to Canadian content through the Canada Media Fund. Nor do they make any contribution to the Canadian economy, as they don’t pay taxes in Canada. As the traditional Broadcasters face increasing competition for advertising revenue, the amount of funding available for Canadian producers is shrinking rapidly.
What is your greatest opportunity to make a positive impact and what does that look like?
Alberta’s production was just over $300 Million and supported approximately 5,500 jobs in 2017-18, whereas next door in BC their volume of production was $3.8 Billion, with over 75,000 people working in production and post-production. Our greatest opportunity would be to level the playing field between Alberta and other jurisdictions in North America, which will lead to growth in jobs and economic impact in our Province.
What is the greatest threat to the industry in Alberta?
The lack of a competitive incentive. Most jurisdictions in North America use a tax rebate system, as opposed to the grant system used in Alberta. The grant system is beneficial in that it is faster and easier to administer than a tax rebate; however, the problem is the Fund is capped at $7.5M per project, making large-scale productions unfeasible. A tax rebate system has no cap.
From the Fraser Institute
By Tegan Hill
According to the recent mid-year update tabled Thursday, the Smith government projects a $4.6 billion surplus in 2024/25, up from the $2.9 billion surplus projected just a few months ago. Despite the good news, Premier Smith must reduce spending to avoid budget deficits.
The fiscal update projects resource revenue of $20.3 billion in 2024/25. Today’s relatively high—but very volatile—resource revenue (including oil and gas royalties) is helping finance today’s spending and maintain a balanced budget. But it will not last forever.
For perspective, in just the last decade the Alberta government’s annual resource revenue has been as low as $2.8 billion (2015/16) and as high as $25.2 billion (2022/23).
And while the resource revenue rollercoaster is currently in Alberta’s favor, Finance Minister Nate Horner acknowledges that “risks are on the rise” as oil prices have dropped considerably and forecasters are projecting downward pressure on prices—all of which impacts resource revenue.
In fact, the government’s own estimates show a $1 change in oil prices results in an estimated $630 million revenue swing. So while the Smith government plans to maintain a surplus in 2024/25, a small change in oil prices could quickly plunge Alberta back into deficit. Premier Smith has warned that her government may fall into a budget deficit this fiscal year.
This should come as no surprise. Alberta’s been on the resource revenue rollercoaster for decades. Successive governments have increased spending during the good times of high resource revenue, but failed to rein in spending when resource revenues fell.
Previous research has shown that, in Alberta, a $1 increase in resource revenue is associated with an estimated 56-cent increase in program spending the following fiscal year (on a per-person, inflation-adjusted basis). However, a decline in resource revenue is not similarly associated with a reduction in program spending. This pattern has led to historically high levels of government spending—and budget deficits—even in more recent years.
Consider this: If this fiscal year the Smith government received an average level of resource revenue (based on levels over the last 10 years), it would receive approximately $13,000 per Albertan. Yet the government plans to spend nearly $15,000 per Albertan this fiscal year (after adjusting for inflation). That’s a huge gap of roughly $2,000—and it means the government is continuing to take big risks with the provincial budget.
Of course, if the government falls back into deficit there are implications for everyday Albertans.
When the government runs a deficit, it accumulates debt, which Albertans must pay to service. In 2024/25, the government’s debt interest payments will cost each Albertan nearly $650. That’s largely because, despite running surpluses over the last few years, Albertans are still paying for debt accumulated during the most recent string of deficits from 2008/09 to 2020/21 (excluding 2014/15), which only ended when the government enjoyed an unexpected windfall in resource revenue in 2021/22.
According to Thursday’s mid-year fiscal update, Alberta’s finances continue to be at risk. To avoid deficits, the Smith government should meaningfully reduce spending so that it’s aligned with more reliable, stable levels of revenue.
Author:
Better, faster, more affordable auto insurance
Alberta’s government is introducing a new auto insurance system that will provide better and faster services to Albertans while reducing auto insurance premiums.
After hearing from more than 16,000 Albertans through an online survey about their priorities for auto insurance policies, Alberta’s government is introducing a new privately delivered, care-focused auto insurance system.
Right now, insurance in the province is not affordable or care focused. Despite high premiums, Albertans injured in collisions do not get the timely medical care and income support they need in a system that is complex to navigate. When fully implemented, Alberta’s new auto insurance system will deliver better and faster care for those involved in collisions, and Albertans will see cost savings up to $400 per year.
“Albertans have been clear they need an auto insurance system that provides better, faster care and is more affordable. When it’s implemented, our new privately delivered, care-centred insurance system will put the focus on Albertans’ recovery, providing more effective support and will deliver lower rates.”
“High auto insurance rates put strain on Albertans. By shifting to a system that offers improved benefits and support, we are providing better and faster care to Albertans, with lower costs.”
Albertans who suffer injuries due to a collision currently wait months for a simple claim to be resolved and can wait years for claims related to more serious and life-changing injuries to addressed. Additionally, the medical and financial benefits they receive often expire before they’re fully recovered.
Under the new system, Albertans who suffer catastrophic injuries will receive treatment and care for the rest of their lives. Those who sustain serious injuries will receive treatment until they are fully recovered. These changes mirror and build upon the Saskatchewan insurance model, where at-fault drivers can be sued for pain and suffering damages if they are convicted of a criminal offence, such as impaired driving or dangerous driving, or conviction of certain offenses under the Traffic Safety Act.
Work on this new auto insurance system will require legislation in the spring of 2025. In order to reconfigure auto insurance policies for 3.4 million Albertans, auto insurance companies need time to create and implement the new system. Alberta’s government expects the new system to be fully implemented by January 2027.
In the interim, starting in January 2025, the good driver rate cap will be adjusted to a 7.5% increase due to high legal costs, increasing vehicle damage repair costs and natural disaster costs. This protects good drivers from significant rate increases while ensuring that auto insurance providers remain financially viable in Alberta.
Albertans have been clear that they still want premiums to be based on risk. Bad drivers will continue to pay higher premiums than good drivers.
By providing significantly enhanced medical, rehabilitation and income support benefits, this system supports Albertans injured in collisions while reducing the impact of litigation costs on the amount that Albertans pay for their insurance.
“Keeping more money in Albertans’ pockets is one of the best ways to address the rising cost of living. This shift to a care-first automobile insurance system will do just that by helping lower premiums for people across the province.”
Quick facts
- Alberta’s government commissioned two auto insurance reports, which showed that legal fees and litigation costs tied to the province’s current system significantly increase premiums.
- A 2023 report by MNP shows
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