The QEPC is the only Official Language Minority Community (OLMC) media production association in Quebec. We are the only association concerned about English-language production in Quebec, and we are recognized as such by PCH, CMF, NFB, Telefilm, CRTC, and other Federal institutions. National associations do not have a mandate to promote or support English-Quebec or Official Language Minority production. Quebec associations focus on French-language production.
The QEPC’s History
Our primary mission is to increase English-language media production in Quebec. We do this by undertaking research to better understand the needs facing our industry, identify possible solutions, and then lobby Governments, agencies, and institutions to better meet those needs.
The Federal Govt. and its institutions must consult with us in the design or implementation of measures they take to support OLMC production. They do so under the authority of the Official Languages Act and the Broadcasting Act.
We believe that a healthy production industry must be diverse, with all its cultural and industrial elements well balanced to maximize growth. We believe French, English, content, and service production have a symbiotic, and not an adversarial, relationship. We need all elements working together to create the strongest production environment in Montreal.
We face Quebec Government policies that have made English-language production less competitive than it is in other provinces. These policies include the lower provincial tax credit rate for non-French production, the 20% ceiling on SODEC funding of non-French production, and the regional bonus which is based on the location of the producer and not the location of the production (unlike the regional bonus in every other province).
As a result of Quebec policies and some negative CRTC decisions, English-language production in Quebec has been in decline for many years. A great deal of talent has moved to Toronto or elsewhere looking for work. We have fallen from 27% of English-language production in Canada in 1997-8 to 6% in 2019-20.
Major producers feared that without strong action, English-Quebec production might be in danger of collapse. Over ten years ago we organized the Quebec English-language Production Council (QEPC). Major French producers working in English realized the importance of our work and joined us.
Realizing that the only federal leverage was the Official Languages Act (OLA), the QEPC adopted a unique strategy. It would use the OLA to increase support for original English-language production in Quebec (regardless of the language of the producer or creative team).
Considering our limited resources, we have had a significant impact on the industry, helping to mitigate the decline in OLMC production by raising tens of millions in new funding.
Website development made possible with the support of the Canada Media Fund.
