Squamish’s new filming policy and fees balance film-friendly approach and community needs

SQUAMISH, B.C. – As the B.C. filming industry continues to thrive, the District of Squamish has approved a new filming policy that aims to further promote Squamish as a film-friendly destination, minimize local impacts and move towards offsetting the costs of municipal services.

Nine key principles are included in the new policy, each of which are designed to strengthen the local film industry. The policy is also supported by new fees, including film application processing, street use and park use fees. The fees will help recover some of the costs associated with filming and are consistent with those charged by other B.C. communities.

“The District of Squamish has long supported filming,” says Mayor Patricia Heintzman. “Our new filming policy further articulates that commitment, balanced by what we expect in return from the industry when they visit our community.”

Squamish’s landscape and close proximity to Vancouver have made it a popular filming location for low-to-medium budget productions including television movies, series, commercials and feature films. Squamish has also benefitted by being within the Regional Tax Credit Zone, which allows productions that film outside of Vancouver to claim additional labour tax credits.

The new filming policy will allow the District to continue supporting the film industry while minimizing the waste, noise, safety and other impacts on the community as a result of filming. It will also help reduce the environmental footprint of the filming industry in Squamish by encouraging participation in environmentally responsible initiatives and Creative B.C.’s Reel Green best practices. Squamish is also home to a growing number of industry cast and crew and encourages production companies to hire locally whenever possible.

For more information on filming in Squamish and to view the new Filming Policy in detail visit http://squamish.ca/filming-policy.

October 26, 2015