Star Trek: Discovery is Making a Big, Positive Economic Impact in Toronto

Star Trek: Discovery’s big impact on Ontario

Star Trek: Discovery is making a big impact in Ontario, for all the right reasons. A new report released yesterday by the Motion Picture Association of Canada examined how the Toronto production of Star Trek: Discovery affected the local economy, and it’s significant.

Canada’s MNP LLP compiled the report, which showed that in the first two seasons of production, Discovery spent more than $250 million and created over 4,000 jobs for crew and other labor.

John Tory, the Mayor of Toronto, said of the report, “Toronto has the infrastructure and the talent to attract top-rated programs such as Star Trek: Discovery. This economic analysis demonstrates why I am so proud to champion our growing screen industry and our City’s commitment to working with our industry partners to develop, expand and diversify both our workforce and production facilities.”

The MNP report showed that Discovery supported more than 100 Ontario-based businesses during each season. In season one alone, they spent $81 million on local crew and labor and $65 million on the purchase of goods and services from across the province. Wendy Noss, President of the Motion Picture Association of Canada said, “The data released today demonstrates the significant impact a single television production can have on the provincial economy. [...] Star Trek showcases the work of talented local creators and technical artists to audiences around the world, and is a fantastic example of how some of television’s most in-demand content is made right here in Canada.”

Star Trek: Discovery is produced by CBS Television Studios, with Toronto-based executive producers John Weber (Take 5 Productions) and Frank Siracusa (Whizbang Films). The next season of Discovery is filming now, and is expected to premiere late next year.