ACTRA Toronto Council started the hiring proces for a new executive director starting at the beginning of February 2026. Below is a timeline for this search as well as a list of Frequently Asked Questions about the hiring process.
President’s Message
Dear ACTRA Toronto members,
We are excited to announce Rob Halpin will be joining ACTRA Toronto on Monday, April 20, 2026, as our new Executive Director.
“I’m truly honoured to join the team at ACTRA Toronto as Executive Director. I’m excited at the prospect of working with a membership that makes such an extraordinary cultural and economic contribution to Canada. Let’s come together, activate and take charge. ACTRA Toronto members have already built a strong union, now it’s time to take it even further,” says Rob Halpin.
Rob brings extensive experience from across the labour movement, most recently through his work as General Secretary of the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), where he has led major campaigns and built broad coalitions among affiliates across the province. Many of us first worked with Rob during the planning of ACTRA Toronto’s We Rise Up Rally in spring 2024, where he helped secure the support of labour leaders and brought esteemed OFL President Laura Walton to speak on behalf of performers.
Throughout the interview process, Rob impressed us with his strategic clarity, respect for staff and members, and a collaborative leadership style grounded in the understanding that staff operationalize the vision of elected leadership and serve as stewards of members’ dues. He spoke passionately about building the collective power of our membership and ensuring that ACTRA Toronto is organized and ready to meet the challenges of this rapidly shifting industry.
We spoke at length about emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, an area where Rob has already been supporting ACTRA member leaders through his work at the OFL. His experience navigating complex policy, government relations, negotiations and campaigns will be invaluable as ACTRA Toronto members continue to collectively assert our power and rightful place within this industry – in Robs words: “Safely, respected and well compensated.”
Rob shares our belief that performers are not only workers, but essential contributors to Canada’s cultural identity and democratic life. At a time when our industry is undergoing profound change, he recognizes the moment calls for vision, courage and collective action.
I am personally looking forward to working alongside a proven leader with Rob’s reputation and integrity as we build the next chapter for ACTRA Toronto and the performers whose labour helps to move this $2.6 billion industry.
Please join the ACTRA Toronto Council & staff in welcoming Rob Halpin to ACTRA Toronto. We will see you on set soon.
In solidarity,
Kate Ziegler
ACTRA Toronto President
Search Timeline
March 7, 2026
Motion to Establish a Hiring Protocol and an Internal Hiring Committee (IHC)
March 7-10, 2026
Research & Consultation
March 10, 2026
Position posted
March 17 to 25, 2026
Interviews with Prospective Candidates
March 26, 2026
Candidate Application Window Closed
March 30, 2026
Final Deliberation and Decision.
March 31, 2026
Council received the IHC report and authorized an offer to the preferred candidate.
FAQ
How was the hiring process determined?
With the support of ACTRA Toronto Council, ACTRA Toronto President Kate Ziegler and Treasurer Paul Constable along with executive staff first interviewed several external hiring firms to conduct the search for the union’s new executive director. President Ziegler also met with several union leaders from the creative sector to ascertain how they have conducted their executive-level searches. President Ziegler presented the findings to ACTRA Toronto Council on March 6, 2026, which outlined the cost and timeline that would be required if the services of an external hiring firm were engaged to conduct the search. Given the high cost and extensive timeline to hire an external hiring firm, a motion to instead establish an Executive Director Hiring Protocol and Internal Hiring Committee was tabled and passed by Council on March 7, 2026.
How were members of the Internal Hiring Committee (IHC) chosen?
The IHC was comprised of 13 members, which included 10 ACTRA Toronto Councillors and 3 senior directors. Councillors self-identified interest in participating in the IHC and were internally delegated through a motion that was passed by Council on March 7, 2026.
How was the Executive Director job description determined and advertised/promoted?
ACTRA Toronto President Kate Ziegler met with select ACTRA Toronto staff and management to determine ideal leadership qualities as well as reviewed creative trade union executive job descriptions. The job description was finalized by President Ziegler, Treasurer Constable and select senior staff before being posted to the Canadian Association of Labour Media (calm.ca) and WorkInCulture.ca.
How did the candidate review and interview process work?
Resumés and other materials were reviewed by the president, treasurer and senior staff. Information from qualified candidates was then shared with the IHC. IHC members also met to generate questions that would be used across all interviews for consistency and fairness. Ahead of the interviews, President Ziegler created kits for IHC members and candidates, which included an agenda, the job description, resumés and vetted questions. A total of three candidates were given a first interview and one candidate proceeded to a second interview.
How was the successful candidate confirmed?
Once the interview process was complete, the IHC recommended a successful candidate to the ACTRA Toronto Executive, which unanimously approved the recommendation. The successful candidate was then proposed to and approved by ACTRA Toronto Council. Following Council’s approval, the successful candidate was offered the position.