Equity is pleased to announce a successful conclusion to negotiations with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens for a renewed three-year agreement of the LGBA. Voting is open May 22 at 10:00 a.m. ET through June 9, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. ET. A complete list of the proposed changes is available here. Eligible voters will be sent a digital ballot by email. If ratified, the terms of the OPA will come into effect July 1, 2025.
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May 20, 2025 — Equity is pleased to announce the launch of a revised Dance • Opera • Theatre (DOT) Engagement Policy, the new terms coming into effect August 4, 2025.
After a thorough review process, a number of amendments have been made to significantly improve working conditions for members under the DOT, including: The DOT Engagement Policy includes minimum fees and other provisions for non-standard, small-scale engagements in dance, opera, and theatre, in addition to Equity members working at educational institutions.
May 12, 2025 — Canadian Actors’ Equity Association is excited to announce Alex Levine’s appointment as its new Executive Director. A labour leader, entertainment lawyer, award-winning screenwriter and television producer, Levine officially assumes his duties May 20, 2025, succeeding Arden R. Ryshpan in the role she has held at Equity for over 17 years.
Levine’s previous experience includes over a decade at Writers Guild of Canada as a Delegate, Councillor, Treasurer, and finally, President and Chief Spokesperson. During his tenure as President, he steered the WGC through a leadership transition as well as challenging labour negotiations that necessitated the WGC’s historic first Strike Authorization Vote. Read more...
May 6, 2025 — Equity is pleased to announce the new Opera Agreement has been ratified. Thank you to all who voted! Eligible members of Equity voted 93.65% in support of the proposed changes with a voting return rate of 29%. The ratified terms take effect July 1, 2025. An updated version of the agreement will be available soon.
April 29, 2025 — Equity is pleased to announce the Canadian Opera Agreement has been ratified. Thank you to all who voted! Eligible members of Equity voted 94.7% in support of the proposed changes with a voting return rate of 34%. The ratified terms take effect July 1, 2025. An updated version of the agreement is available here.
April 14, 2025 — Equity is pleased to share a new tool to help members working under the CTA and ITA invoice the theatre for overtime and infringements.
The Additional Services Invoicing Tool allows members to select overtime or infringement from a dropdown list that will automatically calculate the fee based on the hours entered. The tool also provides direct links to the relevant clauses of the agreement and allows for the easy creation of a PDF invoice to email to the theatre.
January 2, 2025 — As the rules governing the rights and obligations of all members, Equity’s Bylaws are continuously reviewed to ensure they reflect the current needs of the Association and its membership. More often than not, specific bylaws are considered for possible amendment. However, over the past six months, Council has undertaken a significant review process that involved looking at every aspect of the Bylaws, resulting in numerous amendments. Unless otherwise indicated, the revised Equity Bylaws took effect as of January 1, 2025.
Equity invites you to attend a Member Orientation Session. The two-hour course is meant to provide participants with an understanding of Equity’s core responsibilities, an overview of how collective agreements work, a summary of their benefits, and an awareness of their rights and responsibilities as members of the Association.
Members can register to attend an upcoming Member Orientation Session by clicking here. Read more...