Maple News reports that Netflix has announced the opening of its first Canadian office in Toronto, marking a significant step in its growing commitment to the country’s entertainment sector. The news was shared on April 27 during a virtual meeting between Netflix executives and Toronto Mayor John Tory.
This development follows a previous announcement by Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, who revealed plans to establish a Canadian headquarters. In a statement, Sarandos said, “As we grow our business and presence all across Canada, we’re excited that Toronto will be our first local office. We’re looking forward to opening our doors and building on the great work we’ve started with our creative partners to bring more Canadian stories to audiences worldwide.”
Toronto is already a major production hub for Netflix in Canada, with popular titles like Jupiter’s Legacy, The Umbrella Academy, and The Queen’s Gambit filmed in the city. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Toronto’s film, television, and digital media industry generated approximately $2 billion annually and supported over 30,000 jobs. The city’s vibrant creative ecosystem makes it an ideal location for Netflix’s local expansion.
Mayor Tory welcomed the announcement as a sign of economic optimism, stating, “This has been a tough year for Toronto and all cities, all businesses, and all residents, but today’s news is one more example of our determination to support critical sectors, protect jobs, and emerge stronger on the other side of the pandemic.”
Netflix’s new office is not only a milestone for Toronto but also a strategic move for the global streaming leader. Canada has become an important market for content development, both in terms of talent and production. The expansion is expected to create more opportunities for local creatives and further strengthen ties with Canadian artists and producers.
Meanwhile, the Canadian government continues to support the film and television industry through expedited work permit processing. Foreign entertainment professionals are eligible for work permits under the TV and Film Production Workers category, which does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), often a time-consuming step. Many may also qualify as business visitors under certain conditions.
In late 2020, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced measures to fast-track work permits for TV and film workers who require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). These permits can now be processed in as little as two weeks, provided certain eligibility requirements are met, such as online application submissions and proper identification as industry workers via the IRCC web form.
However, while work permits are being facilitated, industry’s foreign workers must still adhere to Canada’s strict COVID-19 entry protocols. These include mandatory pre-arrival testing, potential hotel quarantines, and testing requirements upon arrival, particularly for those flying into Canadian airports.
As the film and TV industry rebounds post-pandemic, the opening of Netflix’s Toronto office signals confidence not only in Canada’s creative talent but also in its strategy to become a global hub for high-end production.
Maple News will continue to monitor and report on milestones related to film and television immigration and the evolving landscape for international professionals in Canada’s media sector.