Minister of Canadian Heritage Releases Report on the Review of Management Practices of Federal Support for the Film and Television Industry
OTTAWA, February 17, 2000 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps made public today a report on the review of management practices of federal support programs to the Canadian film and television production industry. The review was requested by the Minister on November 19, 1999 in response to allegations in the media regarding the film and television industry.The summary review was designed to evaluate the program's management practices and identify possible weaknesses in their administration. It was overseen by the departments of Canadian Heritage, Justice and Finance, as well as the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) and the Treasury Board. The review evaluated practices at the Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office (CAVCO), the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA), the Canadian Television Fund (CTF) and Telefilm Canada.
"This cultural industry is an important motor of the Canadian economy which employs more than 30,000 people," stated Minister Copps. "Following the allegations, I called for a review so that I could make sure that these programs are as efficient as possible."
The report contains eight recommendations aimed at improving and tightening up existing practices as well as at developing a general risk evaluation framework. The review points out that, in general, management practices related to support programs for the film and television industry are sound. The report shows that certain corrective measures have already been taken in order to improve management practices, most notably at Telefilm Canada and at the CCRA.
"This review is a step in the right direction. I therefore accept the recommendations made in this report. But this is not sufficient. We must go farther and act with shorter time lines. This is why I have asked my department to accelerate the implementation of the corrective measures and to take measures in addition to those contained in the report," added the Minister.
These additional measures are:
--CAVCO will work with the newly established film and television services unit of CCRA to put in place within three months a full certification audit process, including an independent risk assessment, in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Income Tax Act.
--Under the supervision of the Chair of the Canadian Heritage Portfolio Heads of Audit and Review (and with the assistance of external consultants), a renewed management control framework, including audit and performance measurement plans will be developed at:
--Telefilm Canada,
--at the CTF,
--and at CAVCO.
* This framework will be developed and made public within six months.
--The Department of Canadian Heritage will work with the Office of the Deputy Comptroller General and external consultants to complete a system-wide risk assessment for the overall federal support structure for film and television production. This will be done in cooperation with all stakeholders within six months.
The Minister also instructed officials to work with the Department of Finance to pursue efforts to simplify the film and production tax credit process, making it easier to administer and enforce.
"I would like to thank officials from the departments of Justice and Finance, the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency and the Treasury Board who helped us to complete this important exercise," added Minister Copps.
Information:
Catherine Gagnaire
Communications Assistant
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
Click here to view the report and backgrounders
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