ACTRA PRESIDENT DECLARES ACTORS' FUND OF CANADA A CULTURAL TREASURE WITH $15,000 CONTRIBUTION

August 25, 2008 - Toronto - Citing its vital role in enabling many thousands of artists to pursue their creative work over the past 50 years, ACTRA National President Richard Hardacre has hailed the Actors' Fund of Canada as one of Canada's cultural treasures. -more-

ARE YOU COVERED?
Information from ACTRA about production insurance coverage

August 25, 2008 - Toronto - This note clarifies ACTRA's position on the Independent Production Agreement (IPA) Section A524 re Commercial General Liability, Employer Liability, Workers' Compensation and Accident On Set Benefits. -more-

GOVERNMENT SHORT-SIGHTED IN CUTS TO ARTS FUNDING
Reducing already scarce funding an affront to all Canadians

August 15, 2008 - Toronto - ACTRA adds its voice to the chorus condemning the federal government's cuts to arts funding programs.
-more-

CRTC REPORT SHOWS BROADCASTERS CONTINUE TO FAIL AUDIENCES

July 31, 2008 - Toronto - While Canada's private broadcasters increased their revenues in 2007, they cut their spending on Canadian programming yet again. The CRTC's industry report confirms that Canada's private broadcasters are overspending on U.S. programming while failing to produce homegrown shows in the most popular genre, drama.-more-

NEGOTIATORS REMAIN HOPEFUL A NEW DEAL WITH COMMERCIAL PERFORMERS WILL BE REACHED

July 31, 2008 - Toronto - Following extensive interest-based bargaining over the past eight months - including a one-month contract extension - a new National Commercial Agreement remains under negotiation. The Agreement, which had been extended to July 31, 2008, while talks continued between a joint advertiser/agency committee and ACTRA negotiators, governs the remuneration terms and working conditions for performers in commercials for TV, radio and new media.-more-

CAROL OFF TO BE HONOURED WITH ACTRA's JOHN DRAINIE AWARD
Award recognizes distinguished contribution to Canadian broadcasting

July 31, 2008 - Toronto - ACTRA is proud to announce that broadcast journalist Carol Off is the 2008 recipient of ACTRA's John Drainie Award for distinguished contribution to Canadian broadcasting.-more-

ATTENTION: ALL ACTRA MEMBERS
RE: ACCIDENT ON SET INSURANCE

July 23, 2008 - Toronto - One of the new provisions in the 2007/09 Independent Production Agreement (IPA) requires that Producers provide workplace accident/injury insurance coverage for all Performers, including Stunt Performers and Coordinators. Article A524 of the IPA states: "Where available, workers' compensation insurance coverage, or equivalent, shall be provided to all eligible Performers. Where such protection is not available, the Producer shall provide workplace accident/injury insurance coverage."-more-

CREATIVE COMMUNITY BACKS INDEPENDENT PRODUCERS IN TALKS WITH TELEVISION NETWORKS
Performers, Directors and Screenwriters Express Support for Terms of Trade

July 23, 2008 - Toronto - The unions and guilds that represent Canada's professional performers, directors and screenwriters expressed their strong support for the efforts of the Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA), one of the country's two principal independent producer groups, in its negotiations with the major private broadcast networks, as well as CBC, to secure equitable agreements for program rights.-more-

JOANNE DEER APPOINTED NATIONAL DIRECTOR
PUBLIC POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS, ACTRA NATIONAL

July 21, 2008 - Toronto - Stephen Waddell, National Executive Director of ACTRA, today announced that Joanne Deer will be ACTRA's new National Director, Public Policy and Communications. Deer will assume the role starting September 8, 2008. -more-

ACADEMY DISCOUNT FOR ACTRA MEMBERS

July 17, 2008 - Toronto - Join the Academy before August 18, 2008 and receive 25% off your first year's membership dues and be eligible to vote in the Gemini Awards. -more-

2008 CANADIAN LABOUR CONGRESS IN TORONTO

July 4, 2008 - Toronto - Thousands of delegates turned out for the CLC's largest affiliation of Unions in Canada with over three million members connecting most of Canada's national and international unions, the provincial and territorial federations of labour and 136 district labour councils. -more-

COMPETITION REPORT SELLS CANADA OUT
'Compete to Win' is a race to the bottom

June 27, 2008 - Toronto - Our cultural sovereignty is under threat if the competition policy report's recommendations are implemented, says ACTRA.-more-

CREATIVE ARTS SAVINGS AND CREDIT UNION GETS GREEN LIGHT

June 24, 2008 - Toronto - Credit union will focus on needs of professionals in film and television industry. Click here for more info: