Equity News

Register to Join the National Annual General Meeting

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A lot has changed over the past year. This year’s National AGM is your chance to find out what your Association and its Council have been working on – bargaining, advocacy, finances, committees, and more! It’s a great opportunity to catch up, ask questions, and interact with Councillors, Equity staff, and colleagues.

Register here. You must be an Equity member in good standing to attend.

Equity’s Mental Health & Wellness Program

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To improve the emotional wellbeing of members, Equity has once again partnered with LifeWorks (already familiar to membership as our existing online platform supporting wellbeing), to provide a short-term customized Mental Health & Wellness assistance program geared to mental, financial, physical, and emotional wellbeing.

All members in good standing can access the program here.

Equity Says Goodbye to Lynn McQueen

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September 7, 2022 - It is with profound sadness that Equity announces the passing of Lynn McQueen, Equity Projects Director.

Lynn began her career as an Equity stage manager in 1988 and was an active member of the Equity Stage Management Committee before joining Equity’s staff in 1998. In many ways, she followed in the footsteps of her father Jim, a prominent leader of the Ontario teachers' labour movement fiercely advocating for the rights of Equity members as a Business Representative, Director of Communications, and most recently, Projects Director. More...

Equity Opera Agreement Ratification to Commence

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September 6, 2022 - Equity is pleased to announce a successful conclusion to the negotiation of the Opera Agreement (OPA). Ratification of the OPA will commence September 13 for all Equity members eligible to vote on the proposed changes.
More...

Equity Office Closed

September 6, 2022 - Please be advised, the Equity office will be closed today for an emergency.

Equity Celebrates Labour Day

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September 5, 2022 - September 5th is Labour Day! As an association that advocates for fair working conditions and work opportunities for artists engaged in theatre, opera, and dance, we recognize Labour Day by applauding the outstanding contributions of artists working in live performance. Read more.

Equity Receives Funding Through the Canada Performing Arts Workers Resilience Fund

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August 31, 2022 - Equity is pleased to announce that the Association is the recipient of funding for two activities under the Canada Performing Arts Workers Resilience Fund (CPAWRF) provided by Canadian Heritage as part of its 2022-2023 budget. Read more...

Canada Council for the Arts Info Session

August 25, 2022 - The Canada Council for the Arts Info Session was a great success! A big thank you to our expert CCA panelists Megan Leduc & Matthew Tiffin, as well as our wonderful moderator Deena Aziz, host Scott Bellis, and of course, everyone who attended! Those looking for a copy of the PowerPoint can find it here. Please note, the information provided in this PPT is only current as of this date.

Equity Welcomes Steven Sobolewski to Council

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August 23, 2022 - Equity is pleased to announce the appointment of Steven Sobolewski to Equity Council, joining Secretary-Treasurer Erin Valentine in representing the Stage Management sector. A proud mixed-Filipino artist, Steven is based in Amiskwaciwâskahikan, on Treaty 6 Territory, and has a deep passion for safer spaces and anti-racist theatre-making. Read more here.

Extension to Filing Fees Expiration Period

August 9, 2022 - Acknowledging the impact of the global pandemic and subsequent shutdown of the live performance industry, Equity will exclude the period of time from March 2020 to March 2022 in determining the three-year expiration date for filing fees credited towards the initiation fee, as per Bylaw 21 (A). Read more here.

Grant Writing Info Session with the Canada Council for the Arts

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Equity is thrilled to invite members to a virtual grant writing information session and Q&A with the Canada Council for the Arts on August 25, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. ET. So many talented Equity members are creating their own projects. This info session is a wonderful opportunity to find out how to fund the research, development, creation, and production of your work! Register to attend here. This session is for Equity members only.

Equity Contracts Reminder

July 28, 2022 - A friendly reminder to all Equity members and industry partners that Equity’s contracts were designed to be filled and signed using the free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, available here for download. Read more here.

Drabinsky Do Not Work Notice

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July 20, 2022 - Embroiled in a legal dispute with producer Garth Drabinsky over failure to meet his obligations on the project Paradise Square, as well as allegations of bullying, American Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) has added Mr. Drabinsky’s name to their “Do Not Work” list. Read more...

Equity Supports ACTRA Performers Working in Commercials

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July 8, 2022 - As the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) continues its labour dispute with the Institute of Canadian Agencies (ICA), Equity calls on our members to stand in solidarity with your fellow Canadian artists in their efforts to secure fair and equitable wages and working conditions for their work in commercials across the country. Read more here.

COVID-19 Relief Funding Now Available for Artists in the Live Performing Arts Sector

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July 6, 2022 - Direct financial assistance is now available to support all of Equity's disciplines through several organizations dispersing funding from the Canada Performing Arts Workers Resilience Fund provided by Canadian Heritage.

Equity's First Ever Council Connect Video

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June 30, 2022 - Equity is pleased to share our first-ever Council Connect video. This is our new way of sharing important news on issues that matter to you! A copy of the Council Connect script is available here for those with accessibility needs.

View the full video here.

In Memoriam

June 17, 2022 - Remembering those who inspired us, guided us, and touched our lives has long been an honoured tradition at Equity. Among the many ways the pandemic has impacted our Association over the past couple of years, has been our struggle to recognize and celebrate the lives of members we have lost – profoundly more imperative at a time when we have lost so many.

National Ballet of Canada Agreement Ratified

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June 15, 2022 - Equity is pleased to announce the ratification of the National Ballet of Canada Agreement (NBCA) that will take effect on July 1, 2022 and remain in place until June 30, 2023.

The decision was made to extend the current agreement one more year with a 2% increase to all weekly fees as well as increased fees for Apprentice Dancers. Read more...

Support Equity and Your Fellow Members

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June 7, 2022 - Many of Equity’s initiatives rely on the volunteer contributions of members just like you! Are you interested in volunteering for an Equity initiative?

Stratford Addendum Ratified

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June 10, 2022 - Equity is proud to announce the successful ratification of the Stratford Addendum to the Canadian Theatre Agreement (CTA) that will take effect immediately and remain in place until November 30, 2024.

The changes include important advancements in the areas of protection, inclusiveness, finance, work-life balance, and digital media rights, in addition to general rate increases of 1.75% (retroactive to Feb. 1, 2022), 2.00% (effective Dec. 1, 2022), and 2.00% (effective Dec. 1, 2023).

Read more...

Equity Announces Updated Service Standards Policy and Feedback Form

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June 9, 2022 - Equity is proud to announce the release of an updated Service Standards Policy, detailing Equity’s continuing commitment to deliver optimum service to members and others who interact with the Association. In addition, a new, easy to use, online submission form is now available for members to provide instant feedback on their experience with Equity.

Les Grands Ballets Agreement Ratified

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June 7, 2022 - Equity is pleased to announce the ratification of the Les Grands Ballets Agreement (LGBA). Eligible members of Equity voted 100% in support of the proposed changes with a voting return rate of 48.9%.

Equity and Coalition Partners Support Artists’ Bill

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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.

Mental Health Week 2022

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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.

Equity Celebrates International Dance Day

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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.

Updates to Fee Calculators and Rate Sheets for Insurance Premiums

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.

Council Focus Survey Results

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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.

Equity Announces Updated Respectful Workplace Policy

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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...

Member Discounts Through Union Savings

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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.

Announcing updated D·O·T Policy

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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.

Equity Calls for Greater Support of Live Performance Workers in Pre-Budget Consultation Submission

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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.

Equity Council Re-elects Scott Bellis as Council President, Donna Fletcher 1st VP, Erin Valentine Secretary-Treasurer

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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.

New insurance Plan for Equity Members

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.

Equity Members Elect 2021-2024 Council

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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...