News

May 13, 2022 - Equity is pleased to announce a tentative deal has been reached for the Stratford Addendum to the Canadian Theatre Agreement (CTA). Ratification will commence May 16 for all Equity members eligible to vote on the proposed changes.

Members in good standing who worked under the terms of the previous Stratford Addendum or Stratford COVID Addendum should look for a ratification ballot in their email inbox as of the 16th. Information on this ratification vote, including a detailed explanation of the proposed material changes, is now available at www.caea.com (members only).

The deadline to vote is June 10, 2022 at noon ET. Read more... 

May 12, 2022 - Equity is pleased to announce a successful conclusion to negotiations with Les Grands Ballet on a three-year deal. Ratification of Les Grands Ballets Agreement (LGBA) will commence May 17 for all Equity members eligible to vote on the proposed changes.

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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 and currently before the Senate of Canada.

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May 3, 2022 - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Pablo Rodriguez, announced that the Canada Performing Arts Workers Resilience Fund will provide more than $50 million in direct funding to independent, self-employed workers in the live performing arts sector who are experiencing financial hardship.

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May 2, 2022 - As so many artists in live performance continue to navigate the uncertainties of an industry profoundly impacted by COVID-19, we encourage you to take this Mental Health Week as an opportunity to check in with yourself and those around you.

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April 29, 2022 - Even before they can walk, babies will move in time to music. At some point, each of us has swayed, shimmied, or spun with wild abandon to the music around us or the beat in our heads.

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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.

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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. 

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April 8, 2022 - The Creative Industries Coalition is pleased to note that Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s second federal budget, while fiscally prudent, includes some further financial support for the live performing arts sector...

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April 8, 2022 - While Equity’s staff is still not at the full complement it was at before the pandemic, we are pleased to announce a return to full-time hours for everyone on the Association’s staff.

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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... 

March 10, 2022 - 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.

March 7, 2022 - Equity stands in solidarity with our colleagues and friends in the Cultural Workers Union in support of the people of Ukraine. Read our letter of support.

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March 1, 2022 - Equity is pleased to announce the delivery of an updated Dance·Opera·Theatre Policy (D·O·T). New material terms for the small-scale engagement policy are in effect immediately, to be reviewed again as of January 5, 2025.

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February 18, 2022 - As part of our ongoing advocacy work, Equity, in conjunction with our Live Performance Coalition partners submitted a report that calls on the government to provide greater support for workers in the live performance arts, an industry that has been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

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February 1, 2022 - Equity applauds the launch of the Canada Performing Arts Workers Resilience Fund (CPAWRF), a temporary emergency relief funding program that will provide $60 million to support workers in the live performance sector.

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February 2, 2022 - UPDATED - The health and safety of Equity members continues to be a paramount priority of Equity. As such, we have updated our COVID-19 Workplace Guidelines & Protocols (version 3) to reflect changes to our work landscape in Canada. The Guidelines & Protocols are in effect immediately, replacing version 2.

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January 25, 2022 - At the first meeting of the newly elected Equity Council, actor/director Scott Bellis (B.C. & the Yukon Councillor) was acclaimed for his third term as Council President.

Joining Bellis as Equity Officers will be newly elected First Vice President, Donna Fletcher (Manitoba & Nunavut Councillor) and Secretary-Treasurer, Erin Valentine (Stage Management Councillor). Ryan G. Hinds (Ontario Councillor) continues in the position of Second Vice-President for the first year of the new Council term.

For a complete list of the 2021-2024 Equity Council and their email addresses, visit the Talk to Council page.

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December 13, 2021 - With the current members’ insurance plan set to expire at the end of the month, Equity is pleased to announce a new interim benefits plan has been negotiated, 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.

An FAQ on the 2022 insurance plan is available here. For a fee sheet listing all of the premiums costs by scale agreement and/or engagement policy, please click here.

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December 31, 2021 - As new restrictions are enacted across the country to combat the dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases, lockdown and partial lockdowns have triggered availability of the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB) in regions across all provinces, save for Saskatchewan.

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November 25, 2021 - Canadian Actors’ Equity Association is pleased to announce its 2021-2024 Equity Council. The newly formed leadership will take office at their first meeting on January 24 and 25, serving a 3-year term. Election of the available officer positions will take place at the same meeting. Click here for all election results. Learn more...