Good morning, Madam Chair and members of the Standing Committee on Finance.
Thank you for inviting us to appear before you today.
My name is Alain Strati. I'm the senior vice-president of industry and policy at the Canadian Media Producers Association, the CMPA.
I'm joined by Kyle Irving, the co-owner and executive producer of Eagle Vision and chair of the CMPA board of directors. Based in Winnipeg, Eagle Vision is the most prolific production company with indigenous ownership in Canadian history.
The CMPA represents more than 650 independent production companies working in film, television and digital media. As leaders of small and medium-sized businesses, independent producers help fuel local economies, creating over 180,000 jobs across the country, contributing $11.7 billion to the national GDP and attracting $6.2 billion in foreign investment.
Canadian independent producers are creative entrepreneurs and bold risk-takers. They are the driving force behind the creative, financial and strategic decisions that turn a simple idea into a successful film or television show. They tell the stories that reflect who we are as Canadians: stories that showcase our history, amplify under-represented voices and connect audiences at home and around the world.
I'll turn to Kyle.