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.
A lot has changed over the past year. This year’s National AGM is your chance to find out what your Association and its Council have been working on – bargaining, advocacy, finances, committees, and more! It’s a great opportunity to catch up, ask questions, and interact with Councillors, Equity staff, and colleagues.
Register here. You must be an Equity member in good standing to attend.
September 7, 2022 - It is with profound sadness that Equity announces the passing of Lynn McQueen, Equity Projects Director.
Lynn began her career as an Equity stage manager in 1988 and was an active member of the Equity Stage Management Committee before joining Equity’s staff in 1998. In many ways, she followed in the footsteps of her father Jim, a prominent leader of the Ontario teachers' labour movement fiercely advocating for the rights of Equity members as a Business Representative, Director of Communications, and most recently, Projects Director. More...
September 6, 2022 - Equity is pleased to announce a successful conclusion to the negotiation of the Opera Agreement (OPA). Ratification of the OPA will commence September 13 for all Equity members eligible to vote on the proposed changes. More...
September 5, 2022 - September 5th is Labour Day! As an association that advocates for fair working conditions and work opportunities for artists engaged in theatre, opera, and dance, we recognize Labour Day by applauding the outstanding contributions of artists working in live performance. Read more.
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 25, 2022 - The Canada Council for the Arts Info Session was a great success! A big thank you to our expert CCA panelists Megan Leduc & Matthew Tiffin, as well as our wonderful moderator Deena Aziz, host Scott Bellis, and of course, everyone who attended! Those looking for a copy of the PowerPoint can find it here. Please note, the information provided in this PPT is only current as of this date.
August 23, 2022 - Equity is pleased to announce the appointment of Steven Sobolewski to Equity Council, joining Secretary-Treasurer Erin Valentine in representing the Stage Management sector. A proud mixed-Filipino artist, Steven is based in Amiskwaciwâskahikan, on Treaty 6 Territory, and has a deep passion for safer spaces and anti-racist theatre-making. Read more here.
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.
Equity is thrilled to invite members to a virtual grant writing information session and Q&A with the Canada Council for the Arts on August 25, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. ET. So many talented Equity members are creating their own projects. This info session is a wonderful opportunity to find out how to fund the research, development, creation, and production of your work! Register to attend here. This session is for Equity members only.
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 30, 2022 - Equity is pleased to share our first-ever Council Connect video. This is our new way of sharing important news on issues that matter to you! A copy of the Council Connect script is available here for those with accessibility needs.
View the full video here.
June 17, 2022 - Remembering those who inspired us, guided us, and touched our lives has long been an honoured tradition at Equity. Among the many ways the pandemic has impacted our Association over the past couple of years, has been our struggle to recognize and celebrate the lives of members we have lost – profoundly more imperative at a time when we have lost so many.
Read more...
June 15, 2022 - Equity is pleased to announce the ratification of the National Ballet of Canada Agreement (NBCA) that will take effect on July 1, 2022 and remain in place until June 30, 2023. The decision was made to extend the current agreement one more year with a 2% increase to all weekly fees as well as increased fees for Apprentice Dancers. Read more...
June 7, 2022 - Many of Equity’s initiatives rely on the volunteer contributions of members just like you! Are you interested in volunteering for an Equity initiative?
June 10, 2022 - Equity is proud to announce the successful ratification of the Stratford Addendum to the Canadian Theatre Agreement (CTA) that will take effect immediately and remain in place until November 30, 2024. The changes include important advancements in the areas of protection, inclusiveness, finance, work-life balance, and digital media rights, in addition to general rate increases of 1.75% (retroactive to Feb. 1, 2022), 2.00% (effective Dec. 1, 2022), and 2.00% (effective Dec. 1, 2023). Read 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.
June 7, 2022 - Equity is pleased to announce the ratification of the Les Grands Ballets Agreement (LGBA). Eligible members of Equity voted 100% in support of the proposed changes with a voting return rate of 48.9%.
May 9, 2022 - Equity and its partners in the Creative Industries Coalition have expressed support for Bill S-208, Declaration on the Essential Role of Artists and Creative Expression in Canada, presented by The Honourable Senator Patricia Bovey...
April 27, 2022 - Equity's fee calculators will be updated as of May 2, 2022 to reflect the new insurance premium rates. A revised rate sheet is available here.
April 26, 2022 - Equity is pleased to share the results of the 2021 Council Focus Survey. Run in conjunction with the 2021 Equity Council Elections, 954 members provided well over 2000 individual answers to the survey’s nine questions – a remarkable response by the membership.
Examining the priorities and ideas presented in the survey will help the Equity leadership and staff in determining the Association’s objectives over the next three years in a number of areas, including bargaining, advocacy, member education, and Council Committee work. Read more...
March 10, 2022 - Equity is proud to announce the release of a new Respectful Workplace Policy (RWP), affirming the Association’s resolute commitment to ensuring safe and respectful workplaces for members and anyone working under Equity’s contracts.
The RWP details the support measures, means of assistance, and resources provided by Equity in its efforts to prevent inappropriate behaviour in the workplace, respond promptly in the case of an incident, and empower artists to speak up on their behalf and on behalf of others without reprisal. Read more...
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.
Equity is pleased to announce a new interim benefits plan has been negotiated with Crawford & Company, in effect January 1, 2022 until December 31, 2022.
The interim plan will ensure members are provided with uninterrupted coverage for the next year while offering the Association an opportunity to explore options for a long-term solution that best suits the needs of our membership. more...
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…