"We've actually seen a crisis develop in the film industry in Toronto," the co-chairman of the Toronto Film Board said Tuesday, citing a 42-percent plunge in production spending since 2003. Susan Murdoch told a meeting of the board's executive committee, "Our talent is leaving, going to other jurisdictions, particularly in Canada." She pointed out that Toronto used to account for 30 percent of all foreign film work in the country, but now accounts for just 9 percent. In a report, Toronto's film commissioner said that the movie industry in Toronto "is facing a crisis." The report showed Toronto-based productions falling 58 percent to $500 million last year from $1.2 billion in 2000. In an editorial, today's Toronto Star concluded: "Hopefully, some specific recommendations will arrive from the film board soon to save an industry that employs 25,000 people full-time and another 30,000 on a part-time basis. Over the coming days, as this city hosts the world at Toronto's annual international film festival, it is worth remembering the immense importance of making movies as well as watching them."