The Municipality of Port Hope is reviewing its filming policy, which includes the permitting process to ensure it is clear, fair, and effective. We want to ensure that our process protects our community, is tailored to our needs and leverages the opportunities and economic benefits from filming.

Port Hope is being identified by production companies as a viable film location thanks to our historic downtown, heritage streetscapes, and proximity to the GTA. Productions bring valuable economic and cultural benefits to our community, but can also create challenges such as traffic disruptions, parking pressures, and business impacts.

To strike the right balance and create a made-in-Port Hope process, we are conducting a Film Permitting Audit. This review will:

  • Assess the current permitting process and internal workflows.
  • Compare Port Hope’s practices with other Ontario film-ready municipalities.
  • Identify opportunities to streamline approvals and improve communications.
  • Develop recommendations to strengthen the current permitting process to protect residents, businesses, and community life while supporting film industry interest and investment in Port Hope.

Why Your Voice Matters

We want to hear from residents about their experiences with filming in Port Hope. Your input will help us:

  • Understand community impacts, both positive and negative.
  • Identify the kinds of disruptions that matter most to residents.
  • Build safeguards into the permitting process to minimize disruption.

Please complete this survey by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 21 and you will have the opportunity to be entered into a draw to win one of two $50 gift cards to a local business of your choice! Please refer to our terms of reference for more information.

Communications – Corporate Services

Filming Policy Review Survey Incentive Contest

Official Rules 2025

1. MUNICIPALITY OF PORT HOPE, TERMS AND ELIGIBILITY TO ENTER

The Filming Policy Review Survey Contest is open to all residents of Port Hope.

The contest period will open on Friday, October 31 and close on Friday, November 21, 2025.

All entries must be returned by final close date of Friday, November 21, 2025 at 16:29:59 (EDT) in order to be eligible for prize draw.

No purchase is necessary or required to enter and to win.

2. HOW TO ENTER

  • Complete the Filming Policy Review Survey on engage.porthope.ca
  • Opt-in to the incentive by providing your email address in the last question of the survey
  • Submit your survey responses

3.PRIZES AND AWARDING

A prize of one of two gift cards to a local business of your choice, valued at $50 each will be given to the winner(s). Winners will be announced by Wednesday, November 26, 2025.

Any entry that is deemed offensive, distasteful or inappropriate will be disqualified and not accepted into the contest.

Following the end of the applicable Contest Period, The Communications Division will select one (2) entrants to be deemed the winner by random selection.

The prize is non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash and must be accepted as awarded. By entering the contest, entrants agree to abide by these rules, and the decisions of the Municipality of Port Hope. The qualifying winner will be notified by an email from the Municipality, shortly after the close of the contest period date. Winners will be able to pick up their prize within five (5) days after being announced the winner.

If the selected entrant does not respond within five (5) business days of notification, he/she will be disqualified and will not receive a prize and another entrant may be selected.

4. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

By participating, entrants agree to release, discharge and hold harmless the Municipality of Port Hope, and its respective affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising agencies, and co-Municipality of Port Hopes, agents and their employees, officers, directors, and representatives from any claims, losses, and damages arising out of their participation in this contest or any contest related activities and the acceptance and use, misuse, or possession of any credit awarded hereunder.

By entering this contest, participants accept that the Municipality of Port Hope may use their entries (where applicable) in their promotions and website. Participation in this contest and acceptance of the prize constitute the winner’s permission for the Municipality of Port Hope to use their names, photographs, biographical information, and/or any statements made by each winner regarding the contest without notice of additional compensation.

5. RIGHT TO CANCEL OR SUSPEND CONTEST

If for any reason the contest is not capable of running as planned, due to infection by computer virus, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of the Municipality of Port Hope, that corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this contest, the Municipality of Port Hope reserves the right to disqualify any individual(s) who tamper with the entry process, and/or to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the Contest.

This contest complies with all Canadian laws. This contest is operated and administered by the Municipality of Port Hope.

Next Steps

Your feedback will directly shape the recommendations made to strengthen the filming policy. Together, we can make Port Hope both film-ready and community-first.