Poll: Nearly 9 in 10 Ontarians Support Policies That Encourage More Film & TV Production In The Province
A new province-wide survey of Ontarians shows clear support for the film and television industry, and a desire for the sector to be a bigger part of the Ontario economy.
TORONTO, ONTARIO – Ontario residents overwhelmingly support the film and television sector and the jobs it creates, according to a new poll by Abacus Data. Surveying Ontarians across the province, respondents clearly backed policies that incentivize a strong, competitive production industry that drives benefits in communities of all sizes.
- People in Ontario understand the importance of production to local jobs. More than four in five Ontarians responded that they see the benefits the film and television sector delivers to Ontario, with 82% confirming that production supports jobs and local businesses across the province, not just in big cities like Toronto. In fact, more than half of Ontario residents surveyed were aware of film or TV productions in their community within the past few years. Ontarians also want to see even more activity, with 88% supporting more productions in or near their communities.
- Ontarians see huge value in the production sector for Ontario’s economy. More than three-quarters of respondents say global studios deliver “significant” benefits to Ontario when film and television is made here. And they know that good policymaking can boost it – 87% say they prefer policy that encourages more productions to be made in the province, and 83% would like to see the sector become an even bigger part of the Ontario economy.
- Ontario residents see a role for the provincial government in supporting the jobs and benefits that come from film and television production. Of those surveyed, an overwhelming 84% said government action to keep Ontario competitive and protect jobs is important. The number of Ontarians supporting incentives to attract those jobs through global studio productions was even higher, at nearly 90%.
QUOTES
“The people of Ontario proudly stand behind the incredible success of the film, television and streaming sector and the jobs it generates in their communities. In every corner of the province, Ontarians are seeing the benefits of a competitive production sector, and they support the policies that drive those benefits: for workers, for local businesses, for the trades, and for communities of every size. There is intense competition to host global production, and Ontario is well positioned to take advantage—the data clearly shows that Ontarians support more ambition for those productions to be made in their communities.”
–Michele Austin, President and Managing Director of MPA-Canada
Methodology: Abacus Data surveyed 2,000 Ontario adults online, October 5-14, 2026 (comparable margin of error +/-2.2%, 19/20). Data was weighted to Ontario’s population by age, gender, educational attainment, and region. Full report can be found HERE.
About Motion Picture Association – Canada (MPA-Canada)
The Motion Picture Association – Canada (MPA-Canada) is the voice and advocate of the major international producers and distributors of movies, television and streaming programming in Canada and is an affiliate of the Motion Picture Association, Inc. (MPA).
Through the production of long-running television series, feature films, and world-class post-production, visual effects, and animation projects, the global studios we serve – including Disney, Netflix, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios, Paramount, Sony Pictures, NBCUniversal, and Warner Bros. Discovery (“MPA Studios”) – make substantial investments in Canada. These services provide a wide range of entertainment choices to Canadians through a variety of services offering subscription video-on-demand, ad-supported video-on-demand, hybrid services offering both, and free ad-supported television.
On behalf of the MPA Studios, we work with governments and local industry partners to support initiatives that strengthen the film, television and streaming industry in Canada. Charles Rivkin is the Chairman and CEO of the MPA and Michele Austin is the President and Managing Director of MPA-Canada.
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Media Contact:
Steven Woodhead
Communications, Motion Picture Association – Canada
