To improve the emotional wellbeing of members, Equity has once again partnered with LifeWorks (already familiar to membership as our existing online platform supporting wellbeing), to provide a short-term customized Mental Health & Wellness assistance program geared to mental, financial, physical, and emotional wellbeing.
All members in good standing can access the program here.
December 1, 2022 - Equity is pleased to announce the appointment of Ron Kennell to Equity Council as a representative of the Ontario region. An Equity member for nearly 30 years, Ron is a performer and director working in theatre, film, TV, video games and commercials.
His appointment comes following Ruby Joy’s decision to resign, having recently accepted a position with ACTRA as a National Advisor.
Please join us in welcoming Ron to Equity Council and feel free to reach out to him at ronk@caea.com. Read more...
November 29, 2022 - We are pleased to announce that a recording of Considering Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB) in Your Work, a workshop designed to help both artists and engagers understand the importance of valuing EDIB in creating and producing cultural work, is now available. Visit our youtube channel to check out this video and other workshops in our professional development series. Read more...
November 28, 2022 - This holiday season is an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable resilience and perseverance of our membership. On behalf of Equity staff, we sincerely wish our members a safe and happy holiday season, and we look forward to what 2023 has to bring!. Please be advised, Equity offices will be closed from Thursday, December 21, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. local time (Toronto and Vancouver), re-opening Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. local time. Read more...
November 22, 2022 - Following a very busy year of bargaining that included the renegotiation of six agreements and updating of the Dance, Opera, Theatre Policy, the negotiation schedule for 2023 is already shaping up.
Equity members who have worked under an agreement or policy listed below are encouraged to contribute to the negotiation or review process. Your experience working under these agreements is invaluable to the negotiation process in determining what advancements are needed. Read more...
November 17, 2022 - Equity is pleased to announce the ratification of the Canadian Opera Agreement (COA), negotiated with the Canadian Opera Company. The ratified terms of the COA take effect retroactively from July 1, 2022 and will remain in place until June 30, 2025. The changes demonstrate significant improvements in the areas of fees, safety, and scheduling, as well as a stronger commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the industry. Read more...
November 14, 2022 - Equity is pleased to announce a successful conclusion to negotiations with the Vancouver Opera. Ratification of the Vancouver Opera Agreement (VOA) will commence November 21, 2022 for all Equity members eligible to vote on the proposed changes. Information on this ratification vote will be available at www.caea.com (members only) once the ratification period commences. The deadline to vote is December 12, 2022 at noon PT. Read more...
November 7, 2022 - At its online meeting on October 31, 2022, Council amended Bylaw 39 and 40. These amendments came at the recommendation of a Council working group recently struck to consider the qualification requirements for dues remission under Equity’s Constitution & Bylaws. Read more...
November 4, 2022 - Equity believes in the right of all workers to bargain collectively for fair wages and working conditions. We stand in solidarity with @CUPEOntario and other Canadian labour organizations in their condemnation of the Ontario government’s attack on their constitutional rights.
October 28, 2022 - Equity is pleased to announce that the 2022-2025 Opera Agreement (OPA) is now available for download here. The revised terms and conditions, in effect as of July 1, 2022, demonstrate improvements in the areas of fees, safety, stage management, diverse representation under the OPA and more. Read more...
October 27, 2022 - Equity is pleased to announce that the 2022-2023 National Ballet of Canada Agreement (NBCA) is now available online. Download a copy of the agreement here.
The decision was made to extend the previous agreement one more year with a 2% increase to all weekly fees as well as increased fees for Apprentice Dancers. Read more...
October 26, 2022 - Equity is aware of the recent reports regarding Compass Artist Management’s failure to pay their clients. So far, we’ve had no complaints from members regarding this matter for work under Equity’s jurisdiction, but in the event that there are outstanding fees owed by Compass on Equity contracts, please let us know.
Read more...
October 18, 2022 - Equity is very pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 Honours Awards! The Honours Awards recognize the outstanding achievements and contributions of Equity members and other artists in our industry.
To learn more about the recipients and the EQ Honours Awards, click here.
August 31, 2022 - Equity is pleased to announce that the Association is the recipient of funding for two activities under the Canada Performing Arts Workers Resilience Fund (CPAWRF) provided by Canadian Heritage as part of its 2022-2023 budget. Read more...
August 9, 2022 - Acknowledging the impact of the global pandemic and subsequent shutdown of the live performance industry, Equity will exclude the period of time from March 2020 to March 2022 in determining the three-year expiration date for filing fees credited towards the initiation fee, as per Bylaw 21 (A). Read more here.
July 28, 2022 - A friendly reminder to all Equity members and industry partners that Equity’s contracts were designed to be filled and signed using the free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, available here for download. Read more here.
July 20, 2022 - Embroiled in a legal dispute with producer Garth Drabinsky over failure to meet his obligations on the project Paradise Square, as well as allegations of bullying, American Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) has added Mr. Drabinsky’s name to their “Do Not Work” list. Read more...
July 8, 2022 - As the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) continues its labour dispute with the Institute of Canadian Agencies (ICA), Equity calls on our members to stand in solidarity with your fellow Canadian artists in their efforts to secure fair and equitable wages and working conditions for their work in commercials across the country. Read more here.
Direct financial assistance is now available to support all of Equity's disciplines through several organizations dispersing funding from the provided by Canadian Heritage. more…
June 9, 2022 - Equity is proud to announce the release of an updated Service Standards Policy, detailing Equity’s continuing commitment to deliver optimum service to members and others who interact with the Association. In addition, a new, easy to use, online submission form is now available for members to provide instant feedback on their experience with Equity.
Who doesn't like paying less?! Equity is very happy to announce a newly updated Members' Advantage Program partnership with Union Savings. As a member of Equity, you and your family can enjoy exclusive discounts on a wide range of products and services through Union Savings, including Auto, Electronics, Entertainment, Fashion, Financial, Home, Insurance, Travel, Wellness, and more! Members can register here.
Since COVID-19 vaccines became available, Equity's position has been and remains that all members should be vaccinated to ensure that the live performance industry returns to stability, except for those who have a verifiable medication condition or religious exemption based on a prohibited ground in human rights legislation. more…