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Canadian Actors' Equity Association
Equiflash
The official news of Canadian Actors' Equity Association
Council President and Executive Director's Financial Update and the November Basic Dues Billing
The last six months have been unprecedented in our history. Your elected Council and the Association's staff have been hard at work providing support to the membership during the COVID-19 pandemic. Equity's efforts these past months have included creating COVID-19 workplace protocols, negotiating contract termination fees, advocating for the Equity membership with the federal government, and holding essential and timely online member meetings. We trust that this work has benefited you during these uncertain times.

As has previously been announced, a basic dues payment for the period May 1 to October 31, 2020 does not apply to any member. Equity has forgiven all basic dues payments for this period, including arrears penalties for August to October 2020.

We have reached a point where Equity is unable to continue providing services to members at a reasonable level without basic dues income. We are currently receiving only 15% of our normal earned revenue and Equity does not receive funding from any other source other than basic dues and the dues that artists pay when working under an Equity contract.

We must now reach out to the membership to ask those that can to support their Association and pay their basic dues of $90 as of November 1, 2020. Members will have a full six months in which to pay basic dues; no penalty will be applied on February 1, 2021. A member will be required to pay basic dues owing when engaged under an Equity contract.

Members' financial support by paying basic dues will ensure that a strong Equity is able to continue to serve members during the pandemic and that we will emerge ready to serve the needs of working members when the pandemic ends and live performance returns to the stage.

As a cost-saving measure, Equity will be going green and invoices and member cards will now be available online. More information on the new process to get your electronic member card will be available shortly. (Read more about Equity's cost saving protocols already put in place here.)

Key services provided in last six months include:
We understand that the payment of basic dues may be financially challenging at this time. Requesting a temporary withdrawal from regular membership may be an option for some members.

Please note: members on withdrawal may not work under contract, vote in ratifications, elections, or attend any Equity meetings. Any dues owing at the time of withdrawal are payable before reinstating.

To simplify the usual process to apply for temporary withdrawal, members may email Equity and request temporary withdrawal from regular membership. Please consider and include this sentence in your email "I understand and agree that while on withdrawal from regular membership I will continue to abide by the Association’s Constitution and Bylaws." Please use "COVID Withdrawal" in the subject line of your email. You will receive notification of temporary withdrawal status within one week.

Please contact Souha Chaar, Membership Coordinator, at membership@caea.com to discuss your specific situation.

On behalf of your elected Council and the staff of Equity, we are deeply appreciative of the support you will be showing your Association by paying your dues at this difficult time. Please reach out to either of us at any time.

Scott Bellis
Council President

Arden R. Ryshpan
Executive Director

#EquityStrong
Canadian Actors' Equity Association | 44 Victoria Street, 12th Floor, Toronto, ON M5C 3C4