AFTRA President Reardon Applauds ACTRA Contract Ratification

June 29, 2009 - In a statement released today, Roberta Reardon, National President of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), praised the announcement by the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) regarding ratification by ACTRA members of a new three-year Independent Production Agreement.    -more-

ACTRA PERFORMERS RATIFY NEW INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION AGREEMENT
98.3% Vote Yes

June 29, 2009 - Canadian performers have ratified the new Independent Production Agreement (IPA) negotiated with the Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA) and the Association des producteurs de films et de télévision du Québec (APFTQ). The new Agreement gives performers a rate increase of 2% each year for three years while the balance of the IPA terms and conditions remain unchanged.    -more-

PERFORMERS WELCOME MPs REPORT ON LOCAL TV
Heritage Committee paves way for elected leaders to create a vibrant Canadian broadcasting system

June 19, 2009 - Canadian performers welcome the Heritage Committee's report "Issues and Challenges Related to Local Television" released today. ACTRA urges the government to not only act on the report's recommendations, but to build on the Committee's work by collaborating with creators and other stakeholders to develop national broadcasting and digital media strategies.    -more-

Congrats to new NS MLA Lenore Zann

June 10, 2009 - ACTRA member Lenore Zann swept to victory in the NS election. The accomplished performer handily won her seat and joins the new NDP government.    -more-

PERFORMERS DISAPPOINTED AS CRTC REJECTS NEW MEDIA BROADCASTING REGS
Broadcasting is broadcasting: CRTC has a duty to regulate it

June 4, 2009 - Performers are disappointed the CRTC has rejected calls to regulate broadcasting in new media. "Broadcasting is broadcasting, and the CRTC has a duty to regulate it, whether it's on a TV, a laptop or a Blackberry. Failing to do so will mean less Canadian content and reduced Canadian presence in an era when we are already being submerged in U.S. content on our TVs, and now online," said Ferne Downey, ACTRA's National President. "Instead of doing its job and showing leadership, the CRTC is throwing up its hands and passing the buck to government."    -more-

ACTRA ELECTS FERNE DOWNEY AS NEW NATIONAL PRESIDENT

June 1, 2009 - The national governing council of ACTRA has elected Ferne Downey as ACTRA National President by acclamation. Her two-year term is effective immediately.   
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BROADCASTERS' HOLLYWOOD SPENDING SPREES UNABATED
U.S. spending sprees leave little room for Canadian drama

June 3, 2009 - Canadian performers are disappointed to see that Canada's major private TV broadcasters have chosen to fill their fall 2009 schedules with U.S. product rather than make a commitment to Canadian drama.   
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ACTRA Mourns Death of Paul Siren

June 2, 2009 - Canada's cultural community lost a towering figure on May 31st with the passing of former ACTRA General Secretary Paul Siren.    -more-

Stop the Canada-Columbia Free Trade Deal

June 2, 2009 - ACTRA's National Council has voted to support the efforts of USW and the Canadian Labour Congress who oppose the implementation of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement in its current form.   -more-

ACTRA's John Drainie Award: Call for Nominations

May 29, 2009 - ACTRA members are encouraged to submit nominations for ACTRA's John Drainie Award for Distinguished Contribution to Canadian broadcasting to the jury for their consideration by July 15, 2009.    -more-