Each year, on the first Monday of September, we recognize Labour Day, which celebrates the labour movement that has fought for – and continues to fight for – fair wages and safe working conditions and places. It is a day to honour the power and solidarity of union and all that we accomplish together.
Union members must remain vigilant and engaged, especially as labour unions are being threatened more and supported less. Banding together at this time is essential.
Let’s keep building – stronger, louder, and united.
As we approach the federal election on April 28, let’s work together to elect a government that prioritizes a “Made in Canada” future and strengthens our screen sector. This election is our opportunity to highlight our multi-billion-dollar industry, which is vital to both our national identity and economic strength.
The election comes at a critical time for Canada. In response to the aggressive actions of the administration in Washington, D.C., including detrimental tariffs and threats to Canadian sovereignty, Canadians are uniting with “Elbows Up” and are dedicated to promoting and supporting Canadian products and services.
ACTRA is joining this effort with our “Buy Canadian. Watch Canadian.” campaign. We encourage your participation to help amplify this important message by sharing #BuyCanadianWatchCanadian on social media.
We have reached out to all major political parties to gather their positions on the future of our screen industry. Their responses, along with other non-partisan resources, will be available on this page under the Campaign Spotlight section. Visit this page regularly to stay informed and make an empowered decision at the ballot box—one that supports Canadian culture and your livelihood.
Let’s remind everyone that choosing Canadian goes beyond the grocery store—Canadian content should be on every Canadian’s shopping list.
Together, we can shape the future of Canada’s cultural and creative industries.
In Solidarity, Eleanor Noble ACTRA National President
The École Polytechnique massacre in 1989 remains a haunting moment in our Canadian history. Fourteen women pursuing engineering had their lives, dreams, and hopes stolen from them through an act of senseless violence, steeped in gender-based discrimination. This devastating incident shook our nation, shedding light on the deep-seated issues of gender inequality and violence against women.
Today, on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, ACTRA honours these lives lost. The memory of the Montréal massacre reminds us of the vital work needed to address misogyny and create a safer, more equitable society. It sparked crucial conversations and initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality and ending violence against women. Their stories motivate us to redouble our efforts in confronting gender-based violence, fostering a culture of respect, safety, and equality in our industry and beyond. I encourage you to take the time to reflect, learn, or explore these resources:
Watch [CONTENT WARNING – graphic, violent, triggering]: From the prolific mind of Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, the movie Polytechnique serves as a poignant reminder of this tragic event. Even though 1989 feels distant for some, Polytechnique makes an imprint on generations to come, highlighting the importance of ensuring we never let such a heartbreaking incident happen again.
Learn: Take the aftermetoo training to become a better ally and support the work of a wonderful organization while you learn more about gender-based violence.
Share: Gender-based violence is a daily experience for some individuals, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to foster a culture of change. Let’s keep the conversation going in a safe, respectful way.
We stand committed to advocating for change, amplifying voices, and tirelessly working towards a future where everyone, regardless of gender, can flourish without the fear of violence or discrimination.
November 25 marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – and the start of the Global 16 Days Campaign, also known as the 16 Days of ActivismAgainst Gender-Based Violence. Women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals experience violence every day due to their gender, gender expression, or perceived gender. Members of Indigenous, rural or 2SLGBTQIA+ communities face heightened risks of gender-based violence – and it’s everyone’s responsibility to combat it.
This year’s focus, “Listen. Learn. Act.,” urges us to support survivors, educate ourselves, and take meaningful action against gender-based violence. We recognize that our role as a union extends beyond our organizational boundaries; it’s about fostering a cultural shift, a collective consciousness that denounces violence in all its forms.
From November 25 to December 10, I urge every member to reflect on the impact of gender-based violence. Let us pledge to LISTEN intently to survivors’ voices, LEARN continually about the root causes, and ACT decisively in our daily lives to challenge and eliminate this systemic issue – here are some suggestions to get started:
Watch a movie, video or documentary related to gender-based violence such as those available on the National Film Board website (various languages; viewer discretion is advised for some films).
Take the aftermetoo training addressing sexual harassment and violence – it’s only 30 minutes and features ACTRA members.
Attend an event in your community to show your support to victims of gender-based violence. Consider donating to a local shelter if you can.
On December 10, Human Rights Day, read the full text or simplified version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or check out the illustrated booklet of the Declaration.
Keep an eye on our social media for more resources!
Let’s all play our part and stand with those affected by the scourge of gender-based violence.
Each November 11, we honour those who have sacrificed their lives in service to our nation. Their unwavering dedication and selflessness have left an indelible mark on Canada’s history.
With all that is happening in the world, it is only fitting that we reflect on the sacrifices of our fallen who paved the way to the rights and freedoms we enjoy today.
In this spirit, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, I encourage you to observe Remembrance Day by pausing for a moment of silence and reflection.
We congratulate SAG-AFTRA for reaching a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) yesterday, after a 118-day long strike.
SAG-AFTRA held their ground at the bargaining table and picket lines to fight for a fair deal since July 14.
We’ve been following SAG-AFTRA’s negotiations closely. Their issues are the same as our issues. Their fight is our fight.
ACTRA remains focused on ending the commercial lock-out by the Institute of Canadian Agencies (ICA). ACTRA appreciates SAG-AFTRA’s ongoing support of our boycott of union-busting brands.
We look forward to learning the details of the tentative agreement.
This Labour Day will mark the 496th day ACTRA has been shamefully locked out by the Institute of Canadian Advertisers (ICA). Our sibling unions across the border, SAG-AFTRA and the WGA, are on strike. Our industry is at a crucial moment in time. Workers’ rights and the power of collective mobilization is more important than ever.
Since April 26, 2022, ACTRA members have come together, raising our voices in solidarity with other unions across Canada at rallies and on picket lines, standing as one against corporate greed.
Labour Day is a time to appreciate and honour the work of those before us, who fought for fair wages and the safe working conditions we have today. And we carry on that fight.
I encourage you to attend any Labour Day events near you. You may also visit the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) website for an evolving list of activities across the country.
SAG-AFTRA went on strike, taking on the studios just as we were invited back to the NCA bargaining table by the ICA. The good news is that the media interest over the SAG-AFTRA strike has allowed us to shine an even greater spotlight on our lockout. We have done many interviews on all forms of news media outlets (radio, broadcast news, etc.). With each opportunity, we highlighted that ACTRA members have been in a 16-month illegal lockout by the ICA. We will keep doing our due diligence in taking advantage of every platform to get the message out.
On that note, ACTRA Toronto, UBCP/ACTRA, and ACTRA Montreal are holding an ACTRA Day of Action to protest locked out engagers. ACTRA Toronto and ACTRA Montreal dates are scheduled for Tuesday, August 22 with the UBCP/ACTRA date TBD. Please look out for further details on the time and location. As well, we encourage you to share our social media posts to help rally people to these important events for our commercial sector. Friends and family are welcome to attend in support of ACTRA performers and to end the lockout.
As a sign of our support, we are planning a cross-Canada rally that we hope will take place on Friday, August 25 to show solidarity with the SAG-AFTRA & WGA strikes. Once again, when the details are confirmed, it would be great if you could share them widely on social media.
We will provide an update on the NCA once we are out of the current blackout. Please visit www.actra.ca/nca/ for the latest updates and FAQs.
Until then, thank you for your continued support and solidarity. These are interesting times, and we are doing everything necessary, at this critical point of change in the evolution of our industry, to protect ACTRA and its jurisdictions in all ways possible.
In 2021, the House of Commons voted unanimously to recognize Emancipation Day on August 1 every year, to mark the day in 1834 that Slavery was abolished across the British Empire.
August 1st is a day of reflection, education, and a recommitment to solidarity with Black communities across Canada. It marks how the sacrifice, bravery, and unwavering devotion to community broke through to create real change, fueled by the power of people that tirelessly fought for freedom and equity. Although people of African descent made up the majority of enslaved peoples in the 40 years leading up to the abolishment of slavery in Canada, it is important to note that enslaved Indigenous peoples made up two-thirds of enslaved peoples in Canada over the course of about 150 years.
Despite the progress that has been made, issues rooted in systemic racism that disproportionately impact the Black community – such as hair and makeup equity – remind us that there is much work to do. As a union, we know that recognition is simply not enough. We must also understand, unravel, and unlearn systemic barriers that continue to perpetuate anti-Black racism, whether subtle or overt – so that we can take action and make meaningful strides to better represent and advocate for all members.
Tomorrow, June 21, marks National Indigenous Peoples Day – a reminder for all of us to continue engaging in the journey to truth and reconciliation by learning more about Canada’s past to help change the future.
One way to do this is by watching the new limited series, Little Bird on Crave or APTN Lumi, created by ACTRA member Jennifer Podemski and featuring ACTRA members from across the country. The series follows the story of an Indigenous woman who was adopted into a Jewish family during the Sixties Scoop, which was a period during which Indigenous children were abducted and then placed into foster homes before eventually being adopted out by predominantly non-Indigenous families. Today, there are more Indigenous children in custody of the child welfare system than ever before. You can learn more about the Sixties Scoop and how to take action through the Sixties Scoop Network.
