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.
January 25, 2023 - The recent news regarding allegations of sexual assault and criminal charges brought against a theatre technician serves to remind us that, although some progress has been made in recent years, there is still much to do to ensure safe and respectful workplaces in our industry. Read more...
January 24, 2023 - Are your finances a major source of stress? Join us online on Monday, February 13th at 2:00 p.m. (ET) for Fundamentals of Financial Literacy, a workshop designed to help artists learn about the fundamentals of finance and how to start building a financial technique. Read more...
To attend, please register here.
January 17, 2023 - Join us online on Monday, February 6th at 2 p.m. (ET) for Anti-Oppressive Communication: Part 2. This workshop will provide you with a more in-depth practical training session to complement Anti-Oppressive Communication: Part 1. Those who couldn't attend Part 1 can still participate and benefit from this informative session. Read more...
January 12, 2023 - In our continuing efforts to balance member services with suitable safety measures, Equity’s National office has reopened to the public, by appointment only.
As the elevators to the Equity office remain locked, you will need to schedule your visit to the Equity office in advance by email. Please visit the Contact Us section of our website for the list of staff emails. Read more...
January 9, 2023 - January 9th marks International Choreographers Day! Join Equity in celebrating the creativity of these artists and their rich language of movement and dance. International Choreographers Day is a chance for everyone to give credit and attention to these folks who have been creating dances, techniques and moves for many years. Read more...
January 2, 2023 - Equity invites you to join us online on Monday, January 30th at 3:00 p.m. (ET) for a fantastic workshop on the Fundamentals of Voice Technique. This fun and informative session with renowned voice coach, Julia Lenardon, will help you to develop your own “voice workout.” Read more...
December 20, 2022 - Equity is pleased to announce that the 2022-2025 Vancouver Opera Agreement (VOA) is now available for download here. The revised terms and conditions, in effect retroactive to July 1, 2022, demonstrate significant improvements in the areas of fees and scheduling, added provisions for the engagement of intimacy directors, as well as a stronger commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the industry. Read more...
December 19, 2022 - Check out Equity's latest Council Connect video featuring Equity Council Second Vice-President Ryan G Hinds, for important news on issues that matter to you!
A copy of the Council Connect script is available here for those with accessibility needs
December 15, 2022 - With the new year not far off, Equity has decided to extend the current members’ insurance plan with Crawford & Company for one additional year. This means that members will experience no change in their insurance coverage in 2023.
Information on the Crawford & Company plan is available on Equity’s website here. We encourage members to check out the video recording of the Insurance Town Hall to see what was discussed and learn more about your insurance as well as other options available to you. Read more...
December 9, 2022 - Equity is pleased to announce that the 2022-2025 Les Grands Ballets Agreement (LGBA) is now available for download here. The revised terms and conditions, in effect as of July 1, 2022, include valuable additions to health and safety standards as well as minimum fee increases of 2% in each year of the Agreement and a 2% increase to all other monetary amounts. Read more...
December 6, 2022 - Equity is pleased to announce that the 2022-2025 Canadian Opera Agreement (COA) is now available for download here. The revised terms and conditions, in effect as of July 1, 2022, 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...
December 6, 2022 - While the worst of the pandemic appears to have passed, it is important to acknowledge that COVID-19 will continue to be present in our communities for the foreseeable future. As such, we are pleased to share an updated version of our COVID-19 Workplace Guidelines & Protocols.
For any questions about the workplace application of these protocols, email an Equity Business Representative at busrep@caea.com. Read more...
We are pleased to announce that a recording of the 2022 National Annual General Meeting (NAGM) is now available here.
If you missed this year's NAGM, we hope you enjoy watching the video and learning about what plans your Association and its Council have been working on!
December 2, 2022 - Join us in congratulating the recipients of the 2022 Honours Awards with a special video presentation! For nearly 50 years, the Equity Honours have recognized members and other industry professionals, acknowledging their outstanding contributions to our industry, our Association, and our craft. While we can’t be together in-person to celebrate these wonderful artists, we are ecstatic to be able to celebrate them, nonetheless. 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 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...
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.
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.
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.
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…