Current News
MPP Peter Tabuns (NDP, Toronto-Danforth), with the support of Equity, has introduced two Private Members Bills in the Ontario Legislature.
The "tax fairness" bill is aimed at easing the income tax burden on artists. The "tax credits" bill proposes to extend film-style production credits to theatre, music and
dance performance.
Harold Caley (of CaleyWray), Equity's legal counsel, explains the problems that can arise without a properly executed contract.
Equity honoured director Martha Henry and stage manager Nora Polley (Life Membership), actor Barbara Gordon (Larry McCance Award), scenographer Susan Benson (Honorary Membership) and Donna Soares of Vancouver, B.C. (2009 Stage West-Equity Emerging Theatre Artist Award) at the Gladstone Hotel in Toronto, Ontario.
The national Council of Canadian Actors' Equity Association has once again elected Allan Teichman, Councillor for the Stage Management region, to serve as the Associations' President. Allan was acclaimed in this position and will serve for a three-year term, December 1, 2009 to November 2012.
Equity's 22 member national Council took office on November 29th, 2009.
Equity members have voted in a 20 member national Council as well as regional CPAGS from across Canada.
Following the close of the by-election nomination period, Sharon DiGenova has been acclaimed as the Councillor for the Dance Region and John O'Keefe has been acclaimed as the Councillor for the Atlantic Region.
No candidates were nominated for either the Dance or the Atlantic Council Policy Advisory Groups (CPAGs). Council's policies include provisions for filling vacant CPAG seats, and that will be a top priority for the new term.
Pursuant to Equity's bylaws, Council has reviewed the member resolution and responded to the membership.
President Allan Teichman reports on Council's recent Bylaw changes.
Equity sponsored the 2009 Making a Scene Conference in Vancouver.
Equity Council's detailed end - of - term report (2006-2009).
Executive Director Arden R. Ryshpan writes to Premier Gordon Campbell asking him to re-think the British Columbia government's debilitating arts funding cuts.
Equity Council has appointed John O'Keefe as representative for the Atlantic region for the remainder of the current term.
A casual, periodic online correspondence between the Executive Director and the Equity membership.
All new rates went into effect on Monday, August 24, 2009.
Equity members are encouraged to join a letter writing campaign calling for a restoration of the 40% funding cut to the B.C. Arts Council.
New ITA minimum fees apply from August 24, 2009 to June 27, 2010.
The terms and conditions of the 2006-2009 CTA remain in force until the ratification process is completed. All new rates will only go into effect on Monday, August 24, 2009, following a successful ratification.
The SM CPAG has created an information resource for SMs to read before signing a CTA contract.
Creators Copyright Coalition lobbies to be included in the development of a national Digital Media Strategy
A review of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage's Report On The Analysis Of The Arts Programs That Were Cancelled In Summer 2008.
The Vancouver Opera Agreement was recently re-negotiated between Equity and the Vancouver Opera Association. Only Equity members in good standing have access to the ratification document.
President Allan Teichman reports on recent By-Law and policy changes to promote a representative diversity within Council, CPAGs & committees in a special issue of Council Link.
President Allan Teichman reports on Council's recent By-Law updates. The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage calls on the government to reinstate the funding programs.
At Equity's 2008-2009 National Annual General Meeting on February 23, a member resolution was brought forward on the topic of tailoring an engagement policy toward the needs of Member-Creators. Pursuant to By-Law requirements, Council reviews any such member resolution at its next meeting, and provides a response to the membership.
EQ is now delivered in an oxo-biodegradeable (OBD) polybag. OBD plastic speeds the natural degradation process when subject to environmental conditions, producing water, carbon dioxide and biomass, shortening the process from hundreds of years to months. OBD plastic is not compostable; it should be disposed with trash waste.
A periodic correspondence from Equity's Executive Director to the Equity membership.
Jennifer's unique background as a labour representative and as an administrator with extensive knowledge of Equity's jurisdiction makes her a superb fit with the Association.
The 2009 Robert Merritt Awards took place on Monday, March 23 at the Neptune Theatre in Halifax.
Mario has taken up the position as Administrative Assistant in the Western Office. He comes to the Association with experience working at a number of charitable organizations including Canuck Place Children's Hospice, BC Cancer Foundation and the BC SPCA.
Celebrating achievement in English professional theatre in Ottawa the Rideau Awards were presented on Sunday, April 5, 2009, at Arts Court.
Over three weeks The Star newspaper explores the early, middle and later years of artists' careers.
President Allan Teichman reports on Council's re-evaluation of its priorities, and on diversity issues.
Theatre Cares Vancouver has raised $40,000 in support of AIDS Vancouver, B.C. Persons With AIDS, the Actors’ Fund of Canada, and the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
City Council proposes $4.1 million in cuts to city cultural and arts programs.
Equity honours Life Members Lloy Coutts (posthumous) & Bernard Hopkins, Honorary Member Derrick Chua, Larry McCance Award winner Louis-Marie Bournival (at left) and Stage-West Equity Theatre Artist Award winner Kawa Ada.
 The project’s mission is to find viable solutions to the problems of senior artists through the findings of a three year research project, which will document the needs and research what currently exists both nationally and internationally. Equity participated in the recent prismatic conference which examined the contributions of challenges faced by culturally diverse artists in the atlantic region.
The International Federation of Actors, an international NGO representing performers’ trade unions, guilds and associations, met this autumn in Marrakech, Morocco with over 110 delegates representing 58 countries.
Read Proteus Performance's resource for Equity members explaining the current credit crisis and market uncertainty - includes links to related resources for plan members.
Editorial/opinion columns in the Globe & Mail, Toronto Star, National Post and Ottawa Citizen (Canwest News Service) all cite the Conservative Government's stance on arts and culture funding as a pivotal contributor to the party's failure to receive a majority mandate.
Business Representative Gretel Meyer Odell recently left Equity to put her creativity and production skills to work building her own business. In an act of perfect timing, Gretel’s departure allowed the Association to bring contract Business Representative Robert Scott on as full-time staff in the National Office.
Business Representative David Mann resigned from the Association mid-September to take up the position of Performing Arts Manager at the Evergreen Cultural Centre in Coquitlam, B.C. Western Office Administration Assistant Michele Frazer also recently left Equity in order to devote more time to her family.
Gretel, Michele and David will be missed by fellow staff, and the many members and engagers whom they have assisted during their service to the Association.
In related staffing news Equity has dedicated additional resources at the National Office to ensure high quality and consistent service to members and producers in British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon and Northwest Territories. Any communications and correspondence sent to the Western Office will be forwarded to the National Office.
The Tory Government's recent termination of key funding programs is the latest move in an ideological attack on the arts.
Equity calls on the Government of Canada to ensure stable, multi-year funding for all federal programs in the arts and culture sector.
On August 1 Equity exchanged paper-based membership correspondence with email delivery.
e-search, Equity's web-based digital search tool has been updated to include recently negotiated changes to the RWB Agreement.
Recent upgrades to Equity's email subscription service are now completed. New subscribers may enrol by following the To Subscribe link, or email e-drive for assistance.
 June meeting focuses on the role civil society plays in the implementation of the UNESCO Convention on the diversity of cultural expressions.
A long-overdue Bill to reform Canada's copyright law was tabled in the House of Commons on June 12th. Equity is a member of the Creators Copyright Coalition that advocates for strong copyright legislation ensuring artists and their works are protected.
 Cake-cutting ceremony held in celebration of the Funds golden anniversary. On August 1 Equity is exchanging paper-based membership correspondence with email delivery.
Equity joined the chorus of arts and culture voices across Canada condem-
ning the Conservative government's plan to render certain productions ineligible for film and television tax credits (Bill C-10).
 On February 19th Equity member Daphne Goldrick (Vancouver) was presented with the Larry McCance Award for her outstanding contribution to the Association.
 Equity member Vernon Chapman, Larry McCance Award winner and Chair of the Association from 1967 to 1970 and again in 1974, passed away February 12, 2008. A Celebration of Vernon's Life will be held at PAL (Toronto) on Sunday, June 22 from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
 The B.C. /Yukon CPAG hosts an informational meeting addressing the unique financial issues faced by members of Equity.
Winners of the inaugural Rideau Awards, celebrating achievement in English professional theatre in Ottawa, will take place on Sunday, April 13.
The Creators' Copyright Coalition has released its platform on copyright reform in anticipation of the Canadian governments expected new legislation.
The TAC, in co-operation with Equity, recently sponsored a grant writing workshop for theatre organizations and artist collectives.
A long standing dispute with Theatre Calgary and Alberta Theatre Projects has been resolved. Equity wins arbitration over stage management rights to overtime under Employment Standards legislation in Alberta.
 A documentary film crew recently visited The Performing Arts Lodge (PAL) in Toronto and made a documentary about some of the fascinating characters living there.
 Executive Director Arden Ryshpan presented Jackie Richardson with a Life Member award on December 5th. Jackie was performing in Vancouver during the October Honour Awards presentation. e-search, Equity's web-based digital search tool has been updated to include recently negotiated changes to the COA and OPA.
 Equity is pleased to announce that David Mann, former Artistic Director of Workshop West Theatre (Edmonton) and Sunshine Theatre (Kelowna), has taken up the post of Business Representative in the Western Office. He replaces Ingrid Turk who recently chose to leave her position with the Association to pursue other opportunities.
Members march with IATSE, ACTRA and fellow labour supporters on September 3rd.
The Masterclass, held June 6 - 16 in Ottawa, provided Equity members with a rare opportunity to work with leading directors.
David has joined the staff of the Western Office in a three-month contract Business Representative position. He is temporarily replacing Ingrid Turk who is now on leave.
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