Telefilm Canada has allocated $70,000 for an Oscars party in Los Angeles to celebrate Canadian nominees, sparking questions about the expense.
Blacklock's Reporter says the Crown agency has not commented on the decision to host the February 27 event, planned to cater to seven federal employees and 400 VIP guests.
The celebration, described in a budget notice, is intended to honor Canadian contributions to the film industry. No guest list has been provided, and the party’s viability may depend on conditions in Los Angeles, where ongoing wildfires have claimed 27 lives, destroyed 6,000 buildings, and scorched 38,000 acres of land.
The Department of Canadian Heritage, which oversees Telefilm Canada’s budget, has also declined to comment on the expenditure. Telefilm reported $155.3 million in spending last year, and in 2024, the government committed an additional $100 million in two-year funding for the agency.
“This $100 million investment is essential to supporting our feature film sector in an ever-changing audiovisual market,” the heritage department noted in a briefing on August 29.
The funds are aimed at elevating diverse Canadian voices, promoting environmentally responsible production practices, and advancing the country’s film industry.
Critics have highlighted the high cost of the Oscars celebration compared to past Canadian diplomatic events in Los Angeles.
In 2015, the Canadian Consulate spent $12,460 for two events, including Canada Day and a banquet for then-Governor General David Johnston. Despite the lower cost, the Johnston event featured an extravagant menu, including shitake-crusted filet of beef, wild mushroom tarts, and pistachio coconut shortcakes.
