For the crews who build sets in Burnaby, wire sound stages in Port Coquitlam, and feed hundreds of cast and staff on location shoots across Metro Vancouver, the question this week is immediate: will the productions keep coming?

The Trump administration's proposal to impose tariffs on film and television content produced outside the United States has sent a jolt through one of the most production-dense regions in North America. BC's film and television sector generated an estimated $3.5 billion in production spend in 2024–25, according to Creative BC—a figure that reflects not just studio fees but the dense supply chain of equipment houses, catering companies, transportation providers, and post-production facilities that have developed around "Hollywood North" over three decades.

The tariff threat is real. If U.S. studios face an import levy on content shot abroad, the economic logic of sending a production to Vancouver—even with its cost advantages—becomes more complex.

However, the same tariff uncertainty is acting as a signal to other producers: European broadcasters, streaming-native platforms headquartered outside the U.S., and international co-productions. For those entities, a tariff-neutral, English-language, full-service production hub with a deep crew base and a favourable exchange rate is a rational choice.

The Cost Equation

Vancouver's structural advantages remain. With the Canadian dollar trading near 0.70 USD, a production budgeted in U.S. dollars effectively receives a 30 per cent discount on BC-denominated costs, including crew wages, stage rentals, and equipment. That arithmetic remains intact regardless of tariff policy.

Metro Vancouver hosts more than 60 active production facilities and stages, a physical infrastructure that cannot be quickly replicated. This capacity is vital for European and streaming-native producers working on compressed timelines.

The BC production tax credit system provides further leverage. BC's Production Services Tax Credit offers a base rate of 28 per cent on eligible BC labour, with additional credits for distant location shooting and digital animation. For a broadcaster in London or Stockholm, these credits stack with the exchange rate to create a highly competitive cost structure.

Who Feels It First

The workers most exposed to any production slowdown are the below-the-line crews—the grips, gaffers, set decorators, and construction coordinators represented by IATSE Local 891. Creative BC notes that every dollar of production spend in BC generates substantial indirect economic activity, from hotel bookings to construction materials. A disruption to production volume would ripple well beyond studio gates.

However, if Vancouver successfully repositions itself as the destination of choice for non-U.S. productions, the industry could emerge with a more diversified client base, reducing its reliance on U.S. studio decisions.

The Competitive Reshuffling

European broadcasters—particularly from the UK, Germany, and the Nordic countries—have long used Vancouver for co-productions, but volume has historically been modest. Tariff uncertainty changes that calculus. A BBC Studios production or a Nordic streamer looking to shoot in North America now has a compelling reason to choose Vancouver: no tariff exposure, full English-language infrastructure, and a favourable cost structure.

The Directors Guild of Canada's BC District Council and the Motion Picture Association – Canada are actively monitoring the situation and engaging with federal officials. Federal support—whether through diplomatic channels or enhanced domestic incentives—will play a key role in determining how much of this opportunity Vancouver captures.

What Smart Operators Are Doing Now

Production service companies and stage operators are not waiting for the tariff picture to clarify. Several facilities are accelerating discussions with European and Asian broadcasters. The BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport has acknowledged the situation, though specific support packages remain under development.

For below-the-line workers, the advice from labour representatives is to maintain networks and credentials, as the composition of the production pipeline may shift even if total volume remains steady.

The Bottom Line

The U.S. tariff threat poses a genuine risk to U.S. studio spend, but it also serves as a catalyst for Vancouver to attract a broader range of international producers. The city's infrastructure, talent, and tax credits remain, and the global industry is now paying closer attention. The next six months will determine how much of that attention converts into signed production agreements.