Despite early-year tariff uncertainty, the Canadian capital bounces back with a record-breaking season

Ottawa’s film and TV production sector is staging a summer comeback—fast.

The Ottawa Film Office reports an estimated 25% increase in the number of film and television shoots taking place across the city this summer, a notable rebound following early-year concerns tied to potential tariffs on Canadian production. So far in 2025, 24 productions have filmed in the capital, with eight currently rolling across town in July alone.

“It’s a huge jump compared to last summer,” said Sandrine Pechels de Saint Sardos, CEO and Film Commissioner of the Ottawa Film Office. “This summer is going to be even busier than 2022, which was our record year.”

Among the titles currently in production is Gang of Hockey, a French-Canadian series now in its third season. The show is produced by Kristel Viduka, who’s based in Ottawa and says the city’s blend of accessible landscapes, skilled crews, and infrastructure made it the ideal production hub.

“I think Ottawa has so much potential,” Viduka told CTV News. “We have landscaping, facilities, well-trained crews.”

Also spotted filming this week: the long-running period procedural Murdoch Mysteries, with scenes shot near Parliament Hill.

Pechels de Saint Sardos says that while the year got off to a slow start—largely due to uncertainty around proposed film industry tariffs—momentum picked up following the Cannes Film Festival, where confidence seemed to return among producers and international partners.

“There was some concern globally,” she said. “But in Cannes, the energy shifted. People were saying, ‘We have to move forward.’ And they are.”

Ottawa’s screen sector now generates roughly $120 million annually, a modest figure compared to Vancouver or Toronto, but the region has carved out a niche—particularly as a go-to location for holiday movies and made-for-TV romances.

For the city’s union talent, the optimism is shared.

“If it keeps up like this, we’ll have a great year in town,” said John Koensgen, president of ACTRA Ottawa, in an interview with CTV News.

As for the lingering threat of tariffs, their implementation—and potential impact—remains unclear. But Pechels de Saint Sardos is urging calm and continued growth.

“We need to stay focused and keep building,” she said. “There’s real momentum here, and we’re ready for it.”