March 12, 2020 - All signed engagement contracts remain in full force and effect and Equity has advised artists signed to Equity contracts to continue to fulfil their contractual obligations unless advised otherwise by Equity.
In the situation where a statutory Government declaration due to COVID-19 forces the cancellation or shutdown of a production or activity (including touring), the provisions set forth in the Performances and/or Rehearsals Lost and/or Force Majeure provisions of a negotiated agreement* will be deemed to apply.
Engagement polices such as the DOT and the INDIE do not include Force Majeure language. In the unlikely situation where a statutory Government declaration forces the cancellation or shutdown of a production or activity (including touring), contractual obligations will be determined between Equity and the Engager if required.
A statutory Government declaration may be made by the applicable municipal, provincial or federal government or Public Health Authority for a region. Mandatory compliance with a statutory declaration could force the cancellation or shutdown of a production (including a tour). In the case of touring productions, it may include the applicable governing body having jurisdiction in the tour destination, and it may extend to include cancellation or shutdown of transportation and accommodation providers, such as airlines and hotels.
Equity expects that all Engagers will heed any travel health advisory notices for COVID-19 posted by the Government of Canada Travel Advice.
* Canadian Theatre Agreement (CTA), Equity Second City Agreement (ESCA), Independent Theatre Agreement (ITA), Stratford Festival Addendum to the CTA, Canadian Opera Agreement, Opera Agreement, Vancouver Opera Agreement, Alberta Ballet Agreement (ABA), Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal Agreement (LGBA), National Ballet of Canada Agreement (NBCA), Royal Winnipeg Ballet Agreement (RWBA)