Canadian Actors Ratify CFTPA Contract

TORONTO: By a margin of 98.3 percent, the members of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) have ratified the new independent production agreement with the Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA) and the Association des producteurs de films et de télévision du Québec (APFTQ).

The deal, which the union approved at the beginning of May, gives performers a rate increase of 2 percent each year for three years. All other terms of the agreement remain remain unchanged.

"This vote of confidence from our membership demonstrates our union’s strength and solidarity," said Ferne Downey, the president of ACTRA. "With this ratified agreement in place, we can focus our efforts on strengthening our industry and creating more work opportunities for performers."

"This agreement is one of the best in the world," added Stephen Waddell, ACTRA’s chief negotiator and national executive director. "We’re glad our members agree that there was no reason to make substantive changes to it at this time," 

The agreement covers the engagement of performers on all film, television and new media production in Canada, except for British Columbia. It takes effect on January 1, 2010, and expires December 31, 2012.