The primary instruments of direct investment on the part of the federal government are such agencies as Telefilm Canada. Its level of support has been stalled for a number of years, so there's been a real-dollar decline there. When you look at the rising demand and the flatlining of Telefilm and the other programs, you see a big disparity there. We really need to kick-start the industry.
Interestingly enough, you mentioned B.C. Last year was a good year--although not a great year--for B.C. compared with the rest of the country We have some 700 members working and living in B.C. Last year, of those 700 members, 100 did not work at all. Only 150 worked over 150 days, which is less than half time. Therefore, 450 worked between one day and 149 days.
Someone earlier mentioned investing in people. We really need to get our skilled, talented people back to work. You can't have a full-time industry based on part-time labour.
As I say, that was a good year for B.C. compared with the rest of the country. I'm hoping that the B.C. government will look at Ontario and Quebec, and other provinces will do the same, and the federal government will put together a comprehensive, truly national program of tax credits that will really kick-start our industry and get it over the current problems it's facing.