VANCOUVER -- B.C. New Democrat Leader Adrian Dix says an NDP government would boost subsidizes to the province's beleaguered film industry.

If the NDP wins the May election, Dix says his government would increase both domestic and foreign-production film credits to 40 per cent for labour costs from the current 33 per cent.

Dix told industry officials at Vancouver Film Studios that he believes the tax credits will help rebuild and grow the industry and ensure the province remains competitive.

The NDP says the province lost 3,500 direct and spin off film and TV production jobs last year while Ontario gained 8,000 jobs.

Vancouver Film Studio president Pete Mitchell says the changes can't come at a better time and B.C. can expect new film and TV productions to be approved in time to shoot for 2013.

Premier Christy Clark has said the government is already providing generous tax credits to the film industry, and increasing them would not be sustainable.