Netflix Poised to Surpass Initial $500 Million CAD Investment in Canadian Content

Netflix has produced a large amount of content in Canada over the past year, and it doesn’t look like the streaming giant is stopping anytime soon.

According to a new press release from the US-based streaming giant written by Corie Wright, Netflix’s director of public policy, it’s expected to surpass its initial $500 million CAD budget on Canadian productions outlined in a five-year deal made with the federal government as its presence in the country continues to grow.

Netflix says that this $500 million CAD five-year commitment to creating content in Canada is the “most significant to-date from any internet streaming video service.”

During its first year of operation, Netflix Canada has filmed shows and movies in places like Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and St. John’s, along with more rural locations across the nation like Brandon, Cochrane, Sudbury.

Television shows and movies produced through the Netflix Canada initiative include Altered Carbon, Riverdale, Lost In Space, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, How It Ends, Another Life, The Umbrella Academy, the SCTV Reunion and Always Be My Maybe. During these productions, Netflix worked with Canadian producers, directors, actors, writers, and film crews, all while donating an additional $25 million CAD to local cultural organizations and events.

Netflix says it’s dedicated to “build deeper ties” with the cultural community in the country by partnering with industry and creative organizations to promote talent. The streaming giant has partnered with organizations such as the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, Banff Diversity of Voices Initiative, the Canadian Film Centre, Hot Docs Canadian Storytellers Project, L’institut national de l’image et du son, L’ecole nationale de l’humour, the Pacific Screenwriters Program (a joint initiative with Creative BC, Canadian Media Producers Association, Writers Guild of Canada), and Quebec Cinema.

“We are inspired by the passion of these organizations to help grow and diversify the next generation of Canadian creators and are honoured to support their efforts,” says Netflix.