Canada‘s actors are set for a new deal with the country’s producers.
Over the holiday period, actors union ACTRA struck a tentative agreement for a new Independent Production Agreement (IPA) with the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) and the Association Québécoise de la Production Médiatique (AQPM), which respectively handle English- and French-language content in the country.
ACTRA is asking its members to review and ratify the new agreement when the details become public. This will begin on Tuesday. January 14 at 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT, and close a week later on January 21. A townhall webinar is being held on January 13 to discuss terms.
This comes after a period of bargaining and negotiations between the parties, with ACTRA saying in a short statement that talks have been “especially critical” given there are “so many major challenges facing our industry.” The Writers Guild of Canada struck a new agreement with the CMPA last year, following a tense negotiation that at one point threatened to end in a strike.
Watch on Deadline
ACTRA National President Eleanor Noble and ACTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Marie Kelly said in a note that the deal “reflects the collective strength and determination of our membership.” They called the agreement “historic” and reflective of the union’s “values,” while addressing “current needs” and setting up “a stronger future together.”
The previous IPA, which ended on December 31, 2024, covers issues such as rights, minimum fees, working conditions, insurance and more. Though it hasn’t been specified, that IPA will likely continue on a rolling basis while the ratification process is followed. U.S. actors went on strike in 2023 with issues such as AI proving divisive before a deal was done.
Canada has produced shows such as Schitt’s Creek, Letterkenny, Cardinal and Murdoch Mysteries over recent years.
ACTRA represents around 15,000 workers in the country, including actors, recording artists, comedians, announcers, stunt co-ordinators and performers, dancers, narrators, voice performers, hosts, choreographers, models, singers, background performers and puppeteers.
The post Canadian Actors Union ACTRA Strikes Tentative Production Agreements With CMPA & AQPM appeared first on Deadline.
