Canada signs updated film and television treaties with UK and Spain

Canada has signed modernized audiovisual coproduction treaties with the United Kingdom and Spain, updating agreements that date to 1975 and 1985.

The agreements are intended to make it easier for Canadian film and television producers to work with British and Spanish partners and access the benefits available to official treaty coproductions.

Canadian Heritage says Canada and the United Kingdom completed 98 treaty coproductions over the last 10 years, with combined budgets of about $629 million. Canada and Spain have collaborated on 16 treaty coproductions worth nearly $123 million since their earlier agreement was signed.

The treaties were signed during the Toronto International Film Festival. They are not yet in force: both partner countries must ratify them, and Canada tables treaties in the House of Commons for 21 sitting days before ratification.

Source: Canadian Heritage news release, published September 14, 2026.