The threat of tariffs and antagonistic politics is drawing uncertainty from many sectors of Calgary’s economy, but one of those sectors seemingly less likely to be affected is the creative economy.

Come Monday, Jan. 20, Donald Trump will be inaugurated once again as President of the United States of America, and along with that his threats of tariffs on Canadian goods.

But Calgary’s film, television, and creative industries will continue to draw dollars to Canada, said Luke Azevedo, Vice President of Creative Industries, Operations and Film Commissioner for Calgary Economic Development.

“We bring some benefits to the table, right off the bat, that make us attractive in Canada in general. Then, the individual provinces based on incentives and based on the Canadian dollar and the ability to create content that has a larger impact, because there’s more money going onto the screen,” he said.

Calgary has continued to grow as a destination of choice for international productions due to the experienced crews that are available, local seasoned talent, the ability to work in the English language, safety and stability of Calgary to film in, and the ability to create a product and deliver it back to the home country in quick order, Azevedo said.

“I think with all of those pieces, we really do create an environment that hopefully will be able to weather any of these storms that are coming up,” he said.

Tariffs threat not yet directly made towards cultural products

Other individuals that LWC spoke to about the threats of tariffs on the cultural economy were less certain and declined to speak on the record until tariffs were imposed and the outcomes were more certain.

Azevedo said, to be clear, that there was a difference between the potential for tariffs on goods imported into the U.S., and what has thus far been a far quieter conversation about tariffs on services.

The tariffs are not the first storm that the industry has faced, as the strikes in the entertainment industry in the U.S. also had a deep impact on film production decisions.

He said that the stability that has been created in Alberta for filming is one of those attractive elements that’s leading to more conversations about doing business in Calgary.

“From our perspective, when the strikes happened, the realization of the impact that one location that generates a good portion of the high-budget content that’s being created globally meant we took it upon ourselves to determine that we needed to ensure that we had a global presence, and that we were being thought of beyond just the borders of North America,” Azevedo said.

“We’ve had some success with… the Indian market, as well as the South Korean market, some of the European markets. So, we are going to continue to grow that presence and ensure that we continue to be able to support a global creative economy, rather than just a North American creative economy.”

That said, the North American market remains an important one for Calgary. Despite any political differences between Canada and the U.S., there would remain a strong desire to work with American production companies and studios on projects, Azevedo said.

“That’s never stopped, and never will. From the perspective of how we engage with our partners, it’s really all about the outcomes. It’s about what can be created, the people that are working on it, the quality of the talent, the relationships that have been built, and the trust that has been built from year to year as we develop projects,” he said.

Alberta Government takes an appeasement approach to Trump tariff threat

Minister of Arts, Culture, and Status of Women Tanya Fir said that she wasn’t worried about the outcomes from tariffs on cultural industries.

“I think our cultural industries are strong, and strong in Alberta, and continue to thrive. I think it’s really important that we continue to build relationships with the incoming Trump administration and focus on things that we have in common and shared strengths and how we can benefit each of our countries,” she said.

She said the decision by Premier Danielle Smith to eschew the position taken by other Canadian premiers and ostensibly the federal government, was the right one.

“I’m really proud of our premier. We’ve got a lot of instability and uncertainty happening at the federal level, and I think it’s important, as I mentioned before, that we work to build relationships and goodwill with the incoming Trump administration,” Minister Fir said.

In a statement released by Premier Smith on Jan. 16, she said that she would not agree to retaliatory tariffs on energy or other products created in Alberta.

“Nor do we support a ban on exports of these same products. We will take whatever actions are needed to protect the livelihoods of Albertans from such destructive federal policies,” the statement from Smith read.

“I will be travelling to Washington D.C. this week for the inauguration, and will be returning to the United States several times over the coming months to meet with U.S. lawmakers and officials to continue to make the case against the imposition of tariffs on Canadian products and to strengthen and grow the trading relationship between our two great and independent nations.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Thursday that he would be creating a Council on Canada-U.S. Relations to support the PM and Cabinet through decisions made regarding the tariff threat.

“Canada and the United States are the closest of friends, steadfast allies, and partners in the world’s most successful bilateral relationship,” he said.

The council was set to be composed of experts in business and governmental policy, including Albertans Rachel Notley and investor and businesswoman Arlene Dickinson.

The Calgary Chamber, in a statement on Jan. 17, said that no industry should be used as a bargaining chip.

“The Calgary Chamber has emphasized the need for a strategic, united and collaborative approach. Instead of retaliatory threats, Canada must focus on pragmatic solutions,” said Calgary Chamber of Commerce CEO Deborah Yedlin.

She said that a unified message that promoted the mitigation of the impact of tarrifs, diversifying trade relationships, streamlining regulatory processes, leveraging industry expertise, and prioritizing key economic areas of the country was needed.