Our Leadership and Governance

ACTRA Toronto is an independent branch or local union of ACTRA, the Alliance of Cinema, Television and Radio Artists. It is governed by a COUNCIL of elected members of the union with the support of union staff, in accordance with the ACTRA Toronto By-Laws  and with the ACTRA National Constitution and ACTRA National By-Laws.

Elections

ACTRA Toronto Council is composed of 24 members in good standing of ACTRA Toronto, elected every two years by all Full members as described in Article 10, of the ACTRA Toronto By-Laws.

ACTRA Toronto’s governing council of 24 performers acts as a board of directors, making the policies by which ACTRA Toronto is run.

Officers of Council

The officers of ACTRA Toronto Council (or Executive Committee) are the President, the immediate Past President (if a sitting Councillor), the Treasurer and up to five other officers, who may be given such titles and functions as ACTRA Toronto Council may determine, and the Executive Director, who is an officer of ACTRA Toronto Council with voice but without vote. The officers of ACTRA Toronto Council are commonly referred to collectively as the ACTRA Toronto Executive.

Officers other than the President and the Executive Director are named by ACTRA Toronto Council for two-year terms at the first meeting of a newly elected Council, once it is in office (ACTRA Toronto Council’s delegates to ACTRA National Council are also named for two-year terms at this meeting).

Election of the ACTRA Toronto President

The President is elected for a two-year term in alternate years to the general Council elections and is limited to two consecutive terms of office. The President serves as the Chief Spokesperson for ACTRA Toronto (as per the ACTRA Toronto By-Laws) and as Chair of the Council and the Executive Committee meetings. 

Current ACTRA Toronto President

Kate Ziegler was elected President of ACTRA Toronto on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, for a two-year term, in accordance with the ACTRA Toronto By-Laws.

Kate joined ACTRA in 2011, channelling her passion for storytelling into a dynamic career in film, television, theatre and voiceover. Over the past decade, Kate has shifted her focus to become a leading voice talent, lending her skills to thousands of commercials and has served as the brand voice for major national campaigns, including Rogers, Ford and Lotto 6/49. A dedicated advocate for voice artists, Kate champions the protection and integrity of performers across all genres. Her previous on-screen credits include roles in Flashpoint, God & Country, Man Vs. and The Divide.

Beyond her artistic accomplishments, Kate has emerged as a powerful advocate for the creative working class. A committed labour organizer since 2022, she has been relentless in her efforts to resolve the on-going labour dispute that has continued to deeply affect ACTRA commercial performers. In 2024, she was honoured to deliver a keynote address at the Labor Notes Conference in Chicago, where she shared her insights on union democracy and collective power with thousands of attendees.

Kate holds an Honours BA in Communication Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University and serves as the ACTRA Toronto representative on the Political Action Committee of the Ontario Federation of Labour, amplifying performers’ rightful place within the labour movement.

Kate is dedicated to fostering cross-union solidarity and strengthening union power. Through her work, she strives to ensure ACTRA members’ voices across all performance categories are not only heard but valued, advancing unity and collective strength within the industry.

Email Kate

How Council Works

Currently, ACTRA Toronto Council meets either in person or via Zoom teleconference on the first Tuesday of every month (except for one month in the summer) to receive information, reports and advice from senior staff and to create policy. Council must meet once every three months. Quorum for regular business is 12 members or alternates present. The By-Laws define an expanded quorum where issues such as budgets or elections are required.

The  Minutes of Council meetings  are posted online once they have been approved by the ACTRA Toronto Council. Council meetings are chaired by the ACTRA Toronto President and conducted in accordance with  Bourinot’s Rules of Order. 

ACTRA Toronto’s Operating Plan and Budget are set by the Council each year and presented at the Annual General Meeting of members. View the  Operating Plan  and  Audited Financial Statements  for details. 

Many Councillors also serve the members through ACTRA Toronto committees, which address issues of interest to members.

What Does ACTRA Toronto Council do?

• Sets the policies by which the branch is run.
• Brings the members’ concerns to Council and communicate Council decisions to the members.
• Introduces, debates and votes on motions that respond to member and industry concerns.
• Treast every member with respect and courtesy, regardless of our opinion of their concerns or positions.
• Communicates with one voice to our members when we have taken actions on their behalf.
• Debates issues within Council (often passionately) but, once a decision has been made, we all support it.
• Holds the staff accountable – through the Executive Director – for actions they undertake on our behalf. Council brings problems with individual staff directly to the Executive Director rather than to the Council Table. Council treats every staff member with respect and courtesy.

The ACTRA Toronto Councillor Handbook

ACTRA Toronto Councillors are careful custodians of our union’s history, faithful stewards of our union’s resources, fearless champions of our union’s interests and inspired pathfinders to our union’s future.

It’s a big job!

Fortunately, the ACTRA Toronto Councillor Handbook helps new Councillors understand what Council does and how it operates so that they can take their place at the Council table with confidence and a solid understanding of their role and its responsibilities.

CLICK TO READ THE ACTRA TORONTO COUNCILLOR HANDBOOK

Get Involved!

To reach any Council member, or to speak with an ACTRA Toronto staff member, dial our main switchboard at 416-928-2278 or call us toll-free at 1-877-913-2278.

Contact a member of a committee if you are an Apprentice member, Full member or ACTRA Additional Background Performer who would like to contribute to your profession by becoming more directly involved in ACTRA’s activities and governance.

Your energy and enthusiasm are welcome!