HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's film industry maintained pressure Tuesday on the provincial government over a change to its film tax credit, with key industry players describing a meeting with Finance Minister Diana Whalen as productive.
Screen Nova Scotia chairman Marc Almon said another meeting will be held with Dianne Whalen on Friday.
"At this point there has been no discussion about changes in numbers or anything like that," said Almon.
But Almon said he believes there is a recognition that the proposed change to cut the refundable portion of the tax credit by 75 per cent is not workable.
"We still have some concerns, especially regarding the implementation date. So we need to continue talking about that."
Nine people from the film sector met for about two hours Tuesday with Whalen and her officials.
Film producer Scott Simpson said the industry recognizes some change will happen but it wants input and believes middle ground can be found.
"It just requires collaboration. It requires consultation and it requires some time," said Simpson, who was at the meeting.
On Monday, Whalen said the government wants the industry to survive but the credit is costing the province too much.
Tuesday's meeting came in the face of stiff opposition from the industry, which says the proposed change will effectively mean the end of significant film and television production in Nova Scotia.
Screen Nova Scotia says the refundable tax credit cost the government $24 million in 2013-14, but generated $139 million in production spending, supporting 2,700 jobs.
That conflicts with a government analysis, which shows the value of production amounted to only $66.8 million in 2013-14, generating $39.4 million in salaries and wages.
As it currently stands, the credit allows qualifying productions to claim up to 65 per cent of labour costs. There are similar rebates in most other provinces although Nova Scotia and Manitoba offer the highest subsidies at 65 per cent.
The proposed change is scheduled to come into effect July 1.
