Dear MP Marci Ien, MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam, Minister Pablo Rodriguez, and Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne,
Do you support The Revue Cinema, TIFF Bell Lightbox, Imagine Cinemas Market Square, and the Ontario Place Cinesphere?
I’ve been enjoying great movies at great cinemas since, literally, as far back as I can remember.
My first memory is of my father taking me to see the original Star Wars at the Eglinton Cinema, back when it was a cinema. Some of my happiest memories as a child were at the University Cinema on Bloor or the Uptown Cinemas on Yonge — both, as well, sadly departed. Time has not been kind to great single-screen cinemas, or even classic multiplexes that operated in a more even-handed competitive marketplace in Canada.
I know Toronto gains from having a great independent cinema, not just because it’s fun to go see a movie, but because these cinemas bring all kinds of economic, cultural and health benefits to their neighbourhoods.
Did you know that Canada’s independent cinemas face structural barriers, and could use your support in order to thrive—or even survive?
I am asking you to read the Network of Independent Canadian Exhibitors (NICE)’s recommendations regarding how to support our independent cinemas: https://nicecinema.ca/how-to-support-canadas-independent-cinemas
Did you know that Cineplex Entertainment has been systematically destroying the experience of going to the movies for the past two decades — with sub-standard exhibition policies, garish sideshows, under-paid and under-supported staff, and (let’s face it) bad popcorn?
Does it seem fair that that same organization — Cineplex Entertainment — enjoys domination over 75% of the market? Don’t Canadians deserve a choice?
I would love to see motions that show me that you are invested in the growth of great local cinemas, and that you are committed to fairness and a better competitive environment for cinemas across Canada.
Sincerely,
Matt Brown
You can join the letter-writing campaign on behalf of NICE here.