The nation's capital is hoping to get a piece of Canada's growing film industry.
Ottawa is looking to create a purpose-built soundstage facility to boost the city's prominence within the global film and television production landscape. Canada's production output has given it the moniker Hollywood North as it seeks to lure more makers of films and television programs.
The Ottawa Film Office, a not-for-profit organization formed to help stimulate the local economy by attracting film and television production to the region, has initiated a request for expression of interest process for the project. Plans include three 20,000-square-foot soundstages for a total of between 60,000 square feet and 80,000 square feet.
As part of the plan, about 22 acres have been leased from the National Capital Commission about 20 minutes from the Ottawa International Airport and downtown Ottawa.
"This purpose-built soundstage will be more than just a space, it has potential to become a real production hub offering turn-key solutions that will meet the demands of the film, television, animation and streaming industry, right here in Ottawa," said Mark Sutcliffe, mayor of Ottawa, in a statement.
Ottawa's film industry contributes $120 million annually to the local economy, and the city completed 40 productions in 2023.
According to Statistics Canada, Canada's film industry generated almost $11.3 billion in operating revenue in 2021, up from just over $5.2 billion in 2013.