Ontario Creates
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| Ontario Creates | |
|---|---|
| Name | Ontario Creates |
| Type | Crown agency |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Area served | Ontario |
Ontario Creates Ontario Creates is an agency of the provincial Crown established to promote and support cultural industries and creative sectors in Ontario. It operates as an arms-length development corporation aimed at increasing economic activity and cultural exports across media, music, publishing, and digital industries. The agency coordinates incentives, marketing, and research to attract investment from domestic and international producers, distributors, and creative entrepreneurs.
History
Ontario Creates was formed in 2013 through the consolidation of prior provincial entities that targeted media, interactive digital media, book publishing, and music sectors. The consolidation followed reforms and reviews prompted by fiscal policy discussions involving the Government of Ontario and budgetary decisions arising from the 2012 Ontario budget context. Predecessor organizations included agencies that had relationships with entities such as the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, the Canada Media Fund, and provincial cultural ministries. Early years featured program alignment with federal initiatives like the Canada Music Fund and regional collaborations with bodies in Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton to leverage festivals and market access. The agency’s development track intersected with major productions that had previously used Ontario-based incentives, including film and television projects linked to companies such as Netflix, Warner Bros., and CBC. Over time, Ontario Creates adapted to structural shifts in digital distribution, responding to industry pressures from platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and gaming publishers such as Electronic Arts.
Mandate and Governance
The mandate combines economic development and cultural promotion by delivering funding, market development, and promotional services to creative enterprises. It reports to the Province of Ontario through provincial statutes that set accountability standards and performance expectations involving the provincial minister responsible for culture-related portfolios. Governance is exercised by an appointed board of directors drawn from representatives of the film, music, interactive, and publishing sectors; board appointments are typically influenced by stakeholders ranging from unions such as ACTRA to trade associations like the Canadian Media Producers Association and the Music Business Association. Strategic priorities are informed by research from organizations such as Statistics Canada and policy frameworks developed in concert with provincial bodies including the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries (Ontario). The board has oversight of compliance with incentive program rules, procurement linked to provincial procurement policy, and performance reporting aligned with provincial audits.
Programs and Services
Programs include production and marketing incentives, export and international market development, business incubation, and skills development. Production support has been structured to complement federal tax credits from agencies like the Canada Revenue Agency and provincial film tax credits that attract international studios such as Universal Pictures and independent producers represented by the Independent Film Producers Association. Music programs provide support for artist development linked to showcase events like Canadian Music Week and international fairs such as MIDEM and SXSW. Interactive digital media initiatives have targeted studios producing games, serious games, and immersive experiences, partnering with incubators found in innovation districts like MaRS Discovery District. Publishing services have included support for book exporters and partnerships with trade events such as the Toronto International Festival of Authors and distributors allied with organizations like BookNet Canada.
Industry Sectors Supported
Ontario Creates supports multiple distinct sectors: film and television, music, book publishing, interactive digital media, and magazines. Film and television engagement involves liaison with production companies, post-production facilities, and visual effects houses that collaborate with firms such as Industrial Light & Magic on projects shot in Toronto and Vancouver. Music sector support reaches record labels, music publishers, and concert promoters who work with venues like Roy Thomson Hall and festivals including North by Northeast. Interactive digital media includes partnerships with game studios, animation houses, and immersive technology developers, often interfacing with academic programs at institutions such as the University of Toronto and Sheridan College. Publishing and magazines collaborate with distributors, literary agencies, and book retailers active in markets like BookExpo.
Funding and Investments
Funding mechanisms combine direct grants, repayable investments, and promotional support to leverage private capital and federal transfers. Ontario Creates administers incentive programs designed to stack with federal funding sources like the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit and provincial tax measures that mirror policies in other jurisdictions such as British Columbia. Investment decisions are informed by economic impact studies from consultancies and data from agencies including the Ontario Ministry of Finance. Project selection often weighs cultural benefit alongside return-on-investment criteria, with monitoring provisions similar to those used by municipal economic development corporations and industry funds such as the Telefilm Canada model. The agency has periodically adjusted program envelopes in response to fiscal directives during provincial budget cycles.
Impact and Metrics
Impact assessment uses metrics such as jobs created, production days attracted, export revenue, and growth in company revenues. Reports reference employment data from Statistics Canada and measure outcomes such as new production activity tied to international licensors like HBO, inbound investment from multinational media corporations such as Disney, and export deals negotiated at trade shows including MIPCOM. Cultural impact is gauged through awards and festival placements involving organizations like the Canadian Screen Awards and the Governor General's Literary Awards, while economic multipliers draw on analyses comparable to those used by provincial economic agencies. Ongoing evaluation includes benchmarking against other provincial agencies in Canada and creative economy programs in international markets such as California and United Kingdom to refine support strategies and target high-growth creative subsectors.