A high school program that has cultivated young creative talents and instilled confidence for pursuing careers in the film industry is facing discontinuation. Students at Earl Haig Secondary School in North York, Ontario, are actively campaigning to save the “Film Arts” program, which has been a part of the Claude Watson Arts Program.
Prominent voices in the film industry, like Toronto native and TV writer Daniel Gold, have expressed their dismay at the decision. Gold, a graduate of the Film Arts program from 2009, shared his sentiments, stating, “What went through my head when I first heard this news, I got sad for all of the me’s who won’t get an opportunity to do what I did.” His successful career, including work on notable projects such as the Canadian series “Workin’ Moms,” highlights the program's impact on budding filmmakers.
The Film Arts program is one of five creative streams offered by the Claude Watson Arts Program; however, as of the upcoming academic year in fall 2023, it will cease to accept new students. This decision comes as the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) begins to phase out the program, leading to significant backlash from current students.
Gold highlighted the paradox of closing such a program in a thriving industry, noting, “This is unconscionable and our film industry is bigger than ever. I think it brings in [around] $2.03 billion a year, so there is a need for skilled labor in all aspects of the film industry, and this to me seems like a perfect pipeline to begin that.” He underscored the importance of nurturing future talent, suggesting that the closure of the program would be a detrimental move for both the school and the local film industry.
The students have organized a campaign to prevent the program's termination, which has already collected over 1,000 signatures on a petition. Among the signatories is Gold himself. To further bolster their efforts, they have produced a campaign video that aims to raise awareness and support for the program.
A TDSB spokesperson defended the decision, citing “inconsistent enrollment” in the Claude Watson Arts Program as a key reason for the program's discontinuation. The board stated that while the capacity for students is set at 400, it will not be feasible to maintain five separate streams for the 2025-2026 school year due to expected enrollment numbers. “With approximately 100 Grade 9 students expected in the fall, it is not possible to maintain five separate streams which would have approximately 20 students in each,” the spokesperson explained.
However, student representatives have pushed back against this claim, asserting that the TDSB intentionally limited the number of available spots from 125 to 100 despite heightened demand. Their arguments indicate a strong commitment to preserving the creative outlet that the Film Arts program provides.
Gold emphasized the significance of teaching the next generation about content creation, arguing that discontinuing the program would represent a significant loss for the city of Toronto. He remarked, “I have a career thanks to this program, some of my favorite, my favorite memories of my young life.”
Currently, the students are preparing for their annual Film Arts Gala, an event where they showcase the projects developed throughout the academic year. This year’s gala is scheduled to take place on June 4 in North York, providing an opportunity for students to display their creativity and the skills they have honed through the program.
