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TORONTO — TVO says it is backing out of a documentary about Premier Kathleen Wynne because of concerns about its “editorial integrity.”
The documentary had been commissioned from White Pine Pictures and TVO says it insisted “there be a journalistic treatment” of the film, including hiring a journalist as the director.
But after director Roxana Spicer walked away from the project, TVO terminated its agreement and announced it is looking for White Pine Pictures to refund the $114,075 advance.
TVO says the lack of a director is a “fundamental deficiency” for a documentary, and a film “consistent with TVO’s journalistic standards for editorial integrity, independence and quality” was not delivered.
White Pine Pictures told TVO that they did not obtain releases from several people in the documentary.
A spokeswoman for Wynne says her office had concerns the documentary was deviating from the original premise of a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation for the budget.
“There was always a clear understanding we would have no editorial control but would be allowed to review portions of the film with government lawyers for issues like breaches of cabinet confidentiality or privacy legislation,” Zita Astravas said in a statement.
“That review was supposed to happen next week and we were set to sign the final agreement and release forms. We’re really hoping that can still happen as we would like to see the film go to air.”
The Toronto Star cited sources as saying the premier’s aides wanted to see the entire film before signing release forms and they were “alarmed by an apparent focus” on a byelection scandal.
Provincial police are investigating allegations that two Liberals’, including Wynne’s deputy chief of staff, broke bribery and corruption laws by offering a would-be candidate in a Sudbury byelection a job or appointment to step aside for their preferred candidate.
