News

November 27, 2023 - In the interest of the health and safety of Artists working under our agreements and engagement policies, and the stability of our industry, Equity has updated our COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines. Read more...

November 3, 2023 - ACTRA members are more than 17 months into a lockout that has decimated their work opportunities in the commercial sector. Rather than resolving outstanding issues at the bargaining table, union-busting advertising agencies have opted to produce commercials non-union, while still expecting to hire professional talent. Equity reminds all its members not to work on non-union commercials, in accordance with our reciprocal agreement with ACTRA and more importantly, in solidarity with your fellow artists, whose livelihoods are under threat.

For more information on the commercial lockout, including a comparison of bargaining proposals, click here.

November 2, 2023 - At its two-day in-person meeting on October 22 and 23, 2023, and via a follow-up online vote, Equity Council amended a number of Bylaws related to diversity and inclusivity on Council and throughout the Council election process. Other Bylaws pertaining to the election process, as well as accessibility at Equity meetings were also amended.

Read more...

September 11, 2023 - Equity is pleased to announce the launch of a new policy, the Senior Artist Program. Designed to address some of the concerns and challenges that many senior artists face as they continue to pursue their work on stage, the Senior Artist Program offers additional contractual flexibility, making it easier to continue working at their craft.

The Senior Artist Program is available here and the Senior Artist Program FAQ is available here. Read more...

September 8, 2023 - At its online meeting on August 28, 2023, Equity Council amended Bylaws 22 and 28. The amendments are a follow-up to changes made to the joining provisions last year. 

Equity's Council encourages all members to be familiar with the rules that govern membership in our Association. For copies of Equity's Constitution and Bylaws, please visit www.caea.com or email info@caea.com for assistance. Read more...

August 29, 2023 - Equity is pleased to announce that the 2023-2026 National Ballet of Canada Agreement (NBCA) is now available for download here.

The revised terms and conditions, in effect since July 1, 2023, demonstrate significant improvements in the areas of fees, working conditions, insurance coverage, and inclusive language. Read more...

August 17, 2023 - With our industry having undergone so much change over the past few years, it’s more important than ever to understand where members’ work opportunities come from.

Visit this page to view snapshots of Equity contracts and member earnings under dance, opera, and theatre agreements, as well as provincial breakdowns of percentage increases in all Equity contracts and earnings under Equity agreements. Read more...

August 2, 2023 - Equity is thrilled to announce that CultureBrew.Art (CBA) has joined Equity’s Members’ Advantage Program. Indigenous and racialized Equity members can now get access to a promotional code which waives the $25 annual membership fee for one year!

CBA is a digital platform featuring a Canada-wide searchable database of BIPOC artists – actors, dancers, opera singers, directors, choreographers, fight directors, intimacy directors, stage managers, and more! Check out the video testimonials from Stratford Festival, Western Canada Theatre, and fellow Equity members here. Read more...

July 26, 2023 - Canadian Actors' Equity Association welcomes the Honourable Pascale St-Onge to her new role as Minister of Canadian Heritage, responding to many of the critical issues that have a profound impact on the working lives of Canadians engaged in live performance.

A former musician, Minister St-Onge succeeds the Honorable Pablo Rodríguez after having served as Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec since December 2021. Read more...

July 14, 2023 - Following weeks of negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) announced that its 160,000 members have voted to go on strike. The strike began at midnight on Thursday, July 13, with actors joining the picket line on Friday, July 14. Read more...

June 27, 2023 - Equity is proud to announce the release of The Member Guide to Creating a Community Agreement, a helpful guide to support artists in creating a safe and respectful workplace for everyone. Developed by Equity Council’s Safe and Respectful Task Force, using many of the principles introduced by ARCS (The Authentic and Radically Curious Support), the Guide details a process for establishing shared values for your community agreement, questions to consider, how to share and maintain your agreement, and other valuable resources you may want to consider. Read more...

June 21, 2023 - Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD)! A big thanks to all of the wonderful First Nations, Inuit and Métis live performers out there for sharing your vibrant heritage and diverse cultures on the stage. We are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Indigenous live performers everywhere. Read more...

June 13, 2023 - Equity is pleased to announce a successful conclusion to negotiations with the National Ballet of Canada. Ratification of the National Ballet of Canada Agreement (NBCA) will commence June 15, 2023 for all Equity members eligible to vote on the proposed changes.

Information on this ratification vote will be available at www.caea.com (members only) once the ratification period commences. The deadline to vote is June 30, 2023, at noon ET. Read more...

May 18, 2023 - Equity is pleased to announce the ratification of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Agreement (RWBA). The ratified terms of the RWBA will take effect July 1, 2023 and will remain in place until June 30, 2026.

The changes demonstrate significant improvements in the areas of fees, working conditions, and inclusive language. An updated version of the agreement will be available shortly.

May 2, 2023 - Equity is pleased to announce the appointment of Cassandre Mentor to Equity Council, as a representative of the Eastern Ontario and Outaouais region. Cassandre is an Ottawa based performer and graduate of Concordia University's Theatre Performance program. An Equity member since 2013, she has worked on stages and screens in Ontario and Quebec.

Please join us in welcoming Cassandre to Equity Council and feel free to reach out to her at cassandrem@caea.com. Read more...

May 1, 2023 - The first week of May (1st - 7th), marks Mental Health Week. This year’s theme is #MyStory, recognizing the various layers and experiences that make us who we are, and while each year 1 in 5 Canadians experience a mental health issue, we all have to consider our mental wellbeing. With each of our different, yet equally valuable stories, we can unite to share one key message: universal mental health care is important and needed now! Read more...

April 29, 2023 - Created by the International Dance Committee of the UNESCO International Theatre Institute in 1982, International Dance Day is celebrated on April 29 each year. We are thrilled to recognize the overwhelming contributions of dance professionals across the country and proud to continue our work advocating on their behalf! We salute them for their extraordinary dedication and their exceptional artistry, and we thank them for the joy they bring to audiences around the world. Read more...

April 26, 2023 - Equity is pleased to announce a successful conclusion to negotiations with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Ratification of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Agreement (RWBA) will commence May 1, 2023 for all Equity members eligible to vote on the proposed changes.

Information on this ratification vote will be available at www.caea.com (members only) once the ratification period commences. The deadline to vote is May 18, 2023, at noon CT. Read more...

April 11, 2023 - Canadian Actors' Equity Association (CAEA) wishes to resolutely and unequivocally state our support of Actors' Equity Association (AEA) and its members in their negotiation of a consolidated touring agreement with the Broadway League.

Artists working on tour deserve fair terms and conditions that reflect the ever-increasing costs of being on the road as well as protection from discrimination and harassment, and we hope that these negotiations can be resolved amicably so that audiences will be able to continue to enjoy the exceptional talent that comes to perform in their region. Read more...

April 3, 2023 - Equity is pleased to announce the ratification of the Alberta Ballet Agreement (ABA). The ratified terms of the ABA will take effect July 1, 2023 and will remain in place until June 30, 2026.

The changes demonstrate significant improvements in the areas of fees and work-life balance, added provisions for managing onstage intimacy, as well as a stronger language related to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Read more...

March 28, 2023 - Nearly a year since several ad agencies decided to lock out Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) performers working under the National Commercial Agreement, ACTRA has launched a national consumer boycott of union-busting brands...

In solidarity, Equity supports ACTRA’s boycott and its call on the Government of Canada to end to its contractual arrangement with Cossette Media, one of the advertising agencies that has unjustly locked out ACTRA performers, many of whom are precarious arts workers, earning less than $6000 a year on average. Read more...

March 27, 2023 - On behalf of Equity, we would like to wish all of the wonderful theatre professionals out there a very happy #WorldTheatreDay! 

As we continue to recognize the vital role that theatre plays in all of our lives and the invaluable contributions that theatre professionals make to our society, Equity is proud to support the creative efforts of live performance artists by seeking to improve their working conditions and work opportunities. Read more...

March 24, 2023 - Canadian Actors’ Equity Association is pleased to support the recommendations made by the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage in their March 2023 report: Strengthening the Status of the Artist in Canada.

The Report is the result of an extensive study on the impact of the Status of the Artist Act (SAA) on improving working conditions for artists. The process began over a year ago and included briefs and statements from Heritage department officials, tax experts, and stakeholders from the cultural sector, including Equity. Read more...

March 10, 2023 - Equity’s short-term Mental Health & Wellness Program is coming to a close. As of March 31, 2023, the program which offers crisis and counselling support and resources aimed at self-care, healthy habits, mindfulness, overcoming anxiety, and creating balance in your life, will no longer be available through Equity.

If you are already registered for counselling sessions that extend beyond March 31, those will continue, but no new services will be offered through this program beyond March 31. If you are looking for support strategies, financial planning or counselling, we encourage you to access the short-term Mental Health & Wellness Program while it is still available. Read more...

March 9, 2023 - Equity is very pleased to announce the election of Omar Alex Khan as Equity Council Second Vice-President. Councillor for the Ontario region, Omar was elected at the Council meeting on February 27, 2023, filling the role previously held by Ryan G. Hinds. 

The Second Vice-President serves as Council's liaison with the Equity membership and is Chair of the Member Engagement and Education Committee. Please join us in thanking Ryan for his work and welcoming Omar as Second-Vice President. Feel free to reach out to Omar at omark@caea.com. Read more...

March 8, 2023 - March 8th is International Women's Day (IWD)!

Today we recognize the immeasurable contributions of women live performance artists and continue to strive for gender equality. IWD is an excellent opportunity to reflect on how we can challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias, and seek out greater inclusion in the live performance industry. From grassroots advocacy to systemic change, we can all #EmbraceEquity. Read more...

March 7, 2023 - Join us online on Monday, March 27th at 3 p.m. (ET) for Bystander Intervention, an online workshop offering practical tactics that artists can employ to help make our creative spaces safer, led by industry professionals, Stafford Perry and Jenna Rodgers. Read more...

To attend, please register here, and feel free to submit a question in advance while registering to ensure it is asked during the webinar.

March 6, 2023 - Equity is pleased to announce a successful conclusion to negotiations with the Alberta Ballet. Ratification of the Alberta Ballet Agreement (ABA) will commence March 13, 2023 for all Equity members eligible to vote on the proposed changes.

Information on this ratification vote will be available at www.caea.com (members only) once the ratification period commences. The deadline to vote is April 3, 2023, at noon MT. Read more...

March 2, 2023 - Equity is pleased to announce the appointment of George Alevizos to Equity Council, as a representative of the Ontario region. A graduate of the joint University of Toronto/Sheridan College Theatre and Drama Studies program, George joined Equity in 2019, and works as a performer in theatre, film and TV. 

His appointment comes following Ryan G. Hinds’ decision to resign, citing the challenges of balancing a busy work schedule with his duties on Council. Please join us in welcoming George to Equity Council and feel free to reach out to him at georgea@caea.com. Read more...

March 1, 2023 - Equity is proud to announce the release of The Member Guide to Respectful Workplaces, a comprehensive and accessible introduction to all of the resources available through Equity for fostering safe and respectful workplaces – making it easier for artists to understand their rights and where to go for support. 

Developed by Equity Council’s Safe and Respectful Task Force, the Guide details responsibilities, preventive measures, resolutions and resources to help inform, empower, and support artists, and encourage a workplace free from harm and all forms of inappropriate behaviour. Read more...

February 24, 2023 - Join us online on Monday, March 20th at 2 p.m. (ET) for a Mental Health Q & A with registered social worker, Matt Eldridge to discuss the highs and lows of life as an artist, and gain useful tools for navigating your mental health journey as a member of the live performance industry. Read more...

To attend, please register here.

February 20, 2023 - Join us online on Monday, March 13th at 2 p.m. (ET) for Running the Business of You, an online workshop with Diane Davy, Executive Director of WorkInCulture (WIC), offering practical insights into operating your own business as an independent contractor and/or self-employed artist. Read more...

To attend, please register here.

February 13, 2023 - Join us online on March 6th at 2 p.m. (ET) for What Might the Future Hold, an in-depth panel discussion on how our industry has changed and what the future might hold – with some of the country’s leading voices and decision makers in the live performing arts. Read more...

To attend, please register here.

February 9, 2023 - Join us online on March 2nd at 2 p.m. (ET) for The Art of Self-tape and Zoom Auditions with Emmy award winning casting director, Stephanie Gorin. This seminar will offer tips for effective self-tape auditions from the perspective of an industry-esteemed casting director. Read more...

To attend, please register here.

February 2, 2023 - Equity is pleased to announce the appointment of Omar Alex Khan to Equity Council, as a representative of the Ontario region. A veteran performer of stage, film, and TV, and accomplished voice actor, Omar has been an Equity member for 15 years. 

His appointment comes following Richard Lam’s decision to resign, citing the challenges of balancing a busy work schedule with his duties on Council. Please join us in welcoming Omar to Equity Council and feel free to reach out to him at omark@caea.com. Read more...

February 1, 2023 - February is Black History Month! This time is an opportunity to recognize the outstanding contributions of Black live performance artists and enrich our knowledge of Black History.

Celebrate Black History Month this year by checking out resources from Nia Centre for the Arts, an organization that supports, showcases and promotes arts from across the Afro-Diaspora. Read more...

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...

To attend, please register here.

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...

To attend, please register here.