News

June 30, 2025 — Equity is pleased to announce the launch of Staying Safe: A Guide to Handling Hot Temperatures in the Workplace, providing artists with tips for preventing, recognizing, and addressing heat-related dangers in the workplace. Created by Equity’s Physical Health & Safety Task Force (PHS), the Guide is the first in a planned series about Staying Safe in the Workplace.

To coincide with the Guide’s launch, Equity has created an anonymous feedback form for members to share any heat-related stories about safety concerns in the workplace. The more we know about the challenges our members face, the more we can do to address them. Click here to share your workplace heat safety feedback.

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June 26, 2025 — Equity is pleased to announce the National Arts Centre Special Events Agreement (NACSEA) and National Arts Centre Music Department Agreement (NACMDA) have been ratified. Thank you to all who voted!

Eligible members of Equity voted 100% in support of the proposed changes to the Special Events Agreement with a voting return rate of 25%, and 100% in support of the proposed changes to the Music Department Agreement with a voting return rate of 28%.

The ratified terms of the NACSEA and NACMDA will each come into effect immediately, retroactive to September 1, 2024. . An updated version of the agreement will be available soon.

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June 12, 2025 — Equity is pleased to announce an update to its contract flexibility program. Originally launched in 2023 to support senior artists as they pursue their work on stage, the program has now been expanded to include disabled artists and will be rebranded as Equity’s Senior and Disabled Artist Program.

The Program aims to address challenges that include limited professional opportunities, health concerns that could have an impact on the ability to handle the usual work schedule, and issues performing with amateur or community theatres, where the schedule may be more appropriate to a senior or disabled artist’s needs.

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June 9, 2025 — Equity is pleased to announce the Les Grands Ballets Canadiens Agreement has been ratified. Thank you to all who voted!

Eligible members of Equity voted 100% in support of the proposed changes with a voting return rate of 46%.

The ratified terms will come into effect July 1, 2025. An updated version of the agreement will be available soon.

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Equity is pleased to announce a successful conclusion to negotiations with the National Arts Centre (NAC) for the National Arts Centre Special Events Agreement (NACSEA) and National Arts Centre Music Department Agreement (NACMDA).

Voting is open June 11 at 10:00 a.m. ET through June 26, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. ET.  Voting information and a complete list of the proposed changes for the NACSEA and NACMDA are available online. Eligible voters will be sent a digital ballot by email on the first day of voting.

If ratified, the terms of the NACSEA and NACMDA will each come into effect immediately, retroactive to September 1, 2024.

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Equity is pleased to announce a successful conclusion to negotiations with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens for a renewed three-year agreement of the LGBA.

Voting is open May 22 at 10:00 a.m. ET through June 9, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. ET.  A complete list of the proposed changes is available here. Eligible voters have been sent a digital ballot by email.

If ratified, the terms of the LGBA will come into effect July 1, 2025.  

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May 20, 2025 — Equity is pleased to announce the launch of a revised Dance • Opera • Theatre (DOT) Engagement Policy, the new terms coming into effect August 4, 2025.

After a thorough review process, a number of amendments have been made to significantly improve working conditions for members under the DOT, including: The DOT Engagement Policy includes minimum fees and other provisions for non-standard, small-scale engagements in dance, opera, and theatre, in addition to Equity members working at educational institutions. 

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May 12, 2025 — Canadian Actors’ Equity Association is excited to announce Alex Levine’s appointment as its new Executive Director. A labour leader, entertainment lawyer, award-winning screenwriter and television producer, Levine officially assumes his duties May 20, 2025, succeeding Arden R. Ryshpan in the role she has held at Equity for over 17 years.

Levine’s previous experience includes over a decade at Writers Guild of Canada as a Delegate, Councillor, Treasurer, and finally, President and Chief Spokesperson. During his tenure as President, he steered the WGC through a leadership transition as well as challenging labour negotiations that necessitated the WGC’s historic first Strike Authorization Vote.
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May 6, 2025 — Equity is pleased to announce the new Opera Agreement has been ratified. Thank you to all who voted!

Eligible members of Equity voted 93.65% in support of the proposed changes with a voting return rate of 29%.
The ratified terms take effect July 1, 2025.

An updated version of the agreement is available here.

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April 29, 2025 — Equity is pleased to announce the Canadian Opera Agreement has been ratified. Thank you to all who voted!

Eligible members of Equity voted 94.7% in support of the proposed changes with a voting return rate of 34%.
The ratified terms take effect July 1, 2025.

An updated version of the agreement is available here.

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April 29, 2025 — Happy International Dance Day!

Today, we join the global community in commemorating the rich artistry created through the movement, expression, and emotion of dance.

To all the dancers and choreographers, thank you for the passion and dedication you bring to your art and our stages!

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April 14, 2025 — Equity is pleased to share a new tool to help members working under the CTA and ITA invoice the theatre for overtime and infringements.

The Additional Services Invoicing Tool allows members to select overtime or infringement from a dropdown list that will automatically calculate the fee based on the hours entered. The tool also provides direct links to the relevant clauses of the agreement and allows for the easy creation of a PDF invoice to email to the theatre.

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Equity is pleased to announce a successful conclusion to negotiations for a renewed three-year Opera Agreement (OPA) with Calgary Opera, Edmonton Opera, Manitoba Opera, Opera Atelier, and Pacific Opera Victoria.

Voting is open now through May 6, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. ET.  A complete list of the proposed changes is available here. Eligible voters have been sent a digital ballot by email.

If ratified, the terms of the OPA will come into effect July 1, 2025.  

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March 27, 2025 — Happy World Theatre Day!

While we like to celebrate theatre and live performance every day, the annual World Theatre Day gives us an extra chance to honour the incredible artists and professionals who have dedicated their careers to bringing this art form to life across our country and around the world.

Today is also an opportunity to keep promoting the importance of theatre and live performance to all. Share your stories using #WorldTheatreDay and #GoSeeAShow!

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January 28, 2025 — Equity is pleased to announce national Council’s Officer positions. Saskatchewan Councillor Kenn McLeod was acclaimed First Vice-President, Quebec Councillor Deena Aziz was acclaimed Second Vice-President, and Northern Alberta Councillor Lora Brovold was elected Secretary-Treasurer. Equity President Scott Bellis remains in his position until 2026, the conclusion of a two-year term.

Equity’s newly elected Council held their first meeting January 26 and 27, gathering in Toronto for two days of training and planning for their three-year term.

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January 24, 2025 — Equity is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristen Pepper to Equity Council, as a representative of the Ontario region. A Toronto-based multi-talented artist, Kristen will join the newly elected Council as they meet for the first time January 26 and 27 to begin their 3-year term. Kristen’s appointment comes following Hailey Lewis’s decision to resign.
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Click here to reach out to your Councillor.

Equity is pleased to announce that the 2025-2027 Stratford Addendum to the CTA is now available online.

The new Stratford Addendum took effect on January 1, 2025.

In addition to the improvements recently achieved in the CTA, changes to the Stratford Addendum include additional payment and support for Artists required to learn a special skill, stronger language in the area of marketing and promotion for the Festival, increased protection for Child Performers, and an additional 2%, above the CTA increase, for Directors in year two of the Agreement.
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New fees are now available for the Dance • Opera • Theatre (DOT) Engagement Policy online. The rates, which take effect immediately, reflect a 3% increase to general fees, as well as defined increases to per diem and mileage rates. Updates to the terms and working conditions of the DOT are currently underway and a new Policy will be announced in the Spring of 2025.

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January 2, 2025 — As the rules governing the rights and obligations of all members, Equity’s Bylaws are continuously reviewed to ensure they reflect the current needs of the Association and its membership. More often than not, specific bylaws are considered for possible amendment. However, over the past six months, Council has undertaken a significant review process that involved looking at every aspect of the Bylaws, resulting in numerous amendments.

Unless otherwise indicated, the revised Equity Bylaws took effect as of January 1, 2025.

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