Market Access through Specific Agreements
Canada has established cultural cooperation agreements and audiovisual coproductions treaties to increase market access for Canadian talent abroad and for foreign talent in Canada.
Since ratifying the Convention, the Government of Canada has established cultural memoranda of understanding and programs of cooperation with China, India and Colombia. These agreements seek to promote the mutual benefits of international cultural cooperation in arts and culture and cooperation for development as set out in the Convention. They promote the sharing of knowledge and best practices to promote and protect the diversity of cultural expressions. They also facilitate the adoption of measures to support artists and disseminate cultural products and services.
For example the memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation that Canada signed with India in 2010 seeks to facilitate bilateral cultural initiatives, aid in the creation of economic opportunities for both Canada and India, and help showcase Canadian cultural content in India and Indian cultural content in Canada.
The Government of Canada continues to explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation in arts and culture with other partners.
Canada also has a long tradition in the area of audiovisual treaty coproductions. Audiovisual treaty coproductions enable Canadian and foreign producers to pool their creative, technical and financial resources. These coproductions are granted national status in their respective countries and, as such, they have access to applicable domestic funding programs and fiscal incentives, and they qualify for broadcasting quotas, if eligible. These coproductions also strengthen domestic audiovisual industries, attract international investment, and support the development of expanding cultural ties with foreign partners.
Canada has been coproducing for close to 50 years, having signed its first coproduction treaty with France in 1963. Today it has treaties with 53 partners around the world, and is recognized as a world leader in audiovisual treaty coproduction. Over the past decade, Canada has produced over 800 feature films and television coproductions.
In February 2011, Canada announced its Policy on Audiovisual Treaty Coproduction. The Policy’s objective is to position Canada as an audiovisual coproduction partner of choice. Canada is currently developing an implementation strategy for this Policy.