Wynne announces $2.3M for Sudbury film and TV productions

Premier Kathleen Wynne kicked off her tour of northern Ontario on Saturday by announcing $2.3 million forSudbury's growing film and television industry.

The funding will support five local film and TV production shoots, including: the comedy series Letterkenny, the documentary Game Changers, the French-language children's TV series Amlieet Compagnieand two TV films,A Perfect Christmas and Love's Complicated.

The money comes from the province's Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.

"Our government's investments here in Sudbury and across northern Ontario are building momentum," Wynne said.

"And helping to diversify the northern economy because that's really important in terms of the future of the economy in the north."

Wynne toured the set of Letterkenny in Hanmer, Ont., for the announcement.

Opposition MPP wants economic plan for Sudbury

NDP Nickel Belt MPPFrance Gelinasis happy to hear about the funding, but she wants the provincial government to do more to help Sudbury's jobless.

"I would like to see economic development money being poured into Sudbury right now to help all of those thousands of people who are actively looking for work," she said.

"It's not happening."

Meanwhile, Sudbury resident Phillip Marsh gave out flyers duringWynne'svisitto protest the sale of Hydro One.

"This belongs to the public," he said.

"It needs to remain in the public's hands."

Marshsays his electricity bills have doubled in the past few years, and he is worried the economy will suffer if they keep going up.

"We want money invested for decent,real jobs in Sudbury," he said.

Sudbury continues to have one of thehighest unemployment rates in the country, according to Statistics Canada.

Wynne: No region more important

The premier's visit also comes amid growing unrest in the regionthat includes the relaunch of the separatist Northern Ontario Party.

"I don't adhere in any way to a notion that one region of the province or another region of the province is more important," Wynne said.

"We have an integrated society in Ontario. The north, the south, the east and the western parts of the province. So I will be continuing to work across the province in that way."

The premier concluded her trip to Sudbury by mingling with locals at a community barbecue, paddling at the Northern Water Sports Centre and participating in a powwow at Laurentian University.

Wynne will visit the communities of Espanola, Little Current and Elliot Lake on Sunday.

She is expected to stop in Sault Ste. Marie on Monday.