Crossing the border during COVID-19

Now that film and television production is opening up across Canada, how is talent getting across the border? Pre-pandemic, cast and crew from the US could cross the border into Canada for production with ease (generally), but as the case numbers between our countries continue to vary drastically, enhanced control measures are being enforced that affect work permits and include quarantine plans.

In this episode of the Entertainment & Media Law Signal podcast, Bob Tarantino and Caitlin Choi ask Helen Park about immigration issues around film and television production taking place in Canada. While the details change on a daily basis, Helen shares her insight on what she has seen so far and offers guidance to producers on what steps they should take when planning to get someone across the border.

Dentons · Episode 5: Crossing the border during COVID-19

If you would like to discuss this podcast or an immigration-related issue regarding your production, please contact Helen Park, Bob Tarantino or Caitlin Choi.

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About Bob Tarantino

Bob Tarantino is Counsel at Dentons Canada LLP and focuses his practice on the interface between the entertainment industries and intellectual property law, with an emphasis on film and television production, financing, licensing, distribution, and IP acquisition and protection. His clients range from artists and independent producers to Canadian distributors and foreign studios and financiers at every stage of the creative process, from development to delivery and exploitation.

About Caitlin Choi

Caitlin is an associate in the Media, Entertainment and Sports and Corporate groups at Dentons. In her entertainment practice, Caitlin advises clients on the development, financing, production and exploitation of film, television and digital media projects. She is experienced in corporate, production and project financing. She also advises on treaty co-productions and copyright matters. In her corporate practice, Caitlin supports both foreign and domestic clients on a variety of business law matters, including mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, corporate governance and fund formation. She has experience working with companies in a number of industries, including the music publishing, manufacturing and alcohol sectors.

About Helen Park

Helen practices immigration law with a focus on business immigration for corporate clients and businesses in Canada, the United States and worldwide. She has extensive experience in all categories of work permit applications and she works closely with clients to provide strategic advice to fulfill their specialized work force and labor shortage needs. Her past experience working as a corporate commercial lawyer has provided her with greater insight in understanding the needs of businesses and how to most effectively utilize the various foreign worker categories to meet those needs. She also advises business clients on the various options for permanent residence to Canada including provincial nomination programs, the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker program and Family Class sponsorship applications.