ACTRA Toronto Information

ACTRA Toronto is the largest branch of ACTRA (the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists), the union representing performers in the film, radio, television and new media industries. It is the largest organization of cultural workers in Canada. ACTRA Toronto’s jurisdiction includes all of Ontario outside the National Capital Region, and represents over 15,000 of ACTRA’s 22,000 members. ACTRA has a history which goes back 70 years, growing, as it did, out of the Radio Artists of Toronto Society formed in 1941. Since then, ACTRA has played an important and vital role in the welfare of performers and in the development of our industry. ACTRA negotiates contracts on behalf of its members with producers and engagers. Our contracts determine minimum standards of pay and working conditions under which performers can be engaged in a diverse industry which includes independent film production, commercials, radio and television drama, telephony, video games and web-based content. When ACTRA members work, they are protected by agreements that set out minimum rates of pay and working conditions. Unlike traditional collective agreements, the agreements negotiated between ACTRA and producer associations or broadcasters establish minimum conditions and fees, but ACTRA members are encouraged to negotiate up from these minimums. These agreements are administered and enforced by dedicated staff in ACTRA offices across the country. In addition to the negotiation and administration of contracts, ACTRA also advocates for our industry and, more generally, for Canadian culture. ACTRA is nationally recognized as a leading proponent of Canadian culture.