Amendment reflects the realities of underwater filming and enhances safety for performers and crew
TORONTO, ON (July 30, 2025) – ACTRA Toronto, in partnership with Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, is proud to announce a key amendment to the Occupational Health and Safety Act’s (OHSA) Diving Operations Regulation (Reg. 629/94). This change formally recognizes the unique nature of diving in the screen industry, covering film, television, advertising, live broadcast, web-based, and video game production.
“We are extremely grateful to FilmOntario, Ontario Creates, the OHSA’s Film and Television Section 21 Advisory Committee and, especially, Minister Piccini and his staff, for recognizing the urgency to make sets safer for underwater work,” said Kate Ziegler, President of ACTRA Toronto. “Together, we made a meaningful regulatory change that will stabilize a seemingly small piece of the industry yet have a sizeable impact for years to come.”
Effective July 1, 2025, the regulation now reflects the realities of underwater work in screen-based storytelling, often involving highly choreographed, shallow water, and time-limited sequences. Previously, film and television productions were subject to the same rules as commercial or industrial diving operations.
“This is a common-sense change that protects Ontario workers and keeps our province competitive,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “By updating our diving regulations to reflect the realities of underwater filming and help crews get the job done. These changes will give film producers the confidence to keep choosing Ontario, support good-paying jobs, and ensure our $2.6 billion film and television industry continues to grow and thrive right here at home.”
“The film and television industry plays a key role in Ontario’s economic prosperity. In 2024, the sector supported over 35,000 jobs and contributed $2.6 billion to our economy,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “Removing barriers to underwater filming will bring even more film and television production to the province, create and sustain more good jobs, and drive economic growth. Now more than ever, it’s vital that we protect our film and television industry and help ensure Ontario remains a top destination for domestic and international productions alike.”
Industry Perspectives
“We thank our industry partners, including ACTRA, CMPA, FilmOntario and the Section 21 Film and Television Advisory Committee, for their contributions to ensure diving policies maintain set safety, meet global industry standards, and provide confidence that Ontario is well-positioned to support underwater scenes. This policy update was made possible through the responsiveness of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, led by Minister Piccini, with support from Minister Cho and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. The government’s unwavering commitment to the sector is key to supporting and growing an industry that generated $2.6 billion to Ontario’s economy in 2024, creating 34,836 high-value full-time equivalent direct and spin-off jobs for Ontarians. We are proud of the strength of the industry and the safeguards in place to build on our reputation as a world-class film jurisdiction.”
- Karen Thorne-Stone, President and CEO, Ontario Creates
“We would like to thank Minister Piccini and his staff for working with the Section 21 Film and Television Health and Safety Advisory Committee to update Ontario’s Diving Regulations to acknowledge the realities of what is needed to ensure that underwater filming is carried out safely in Ontario. The updated regulations are consistent with industry standards across North America and ensure that productions that choose Ontario will be able to work safely, helping to maintain jobs and investment in the $2.6 billion industry. We would also like to thank Minister Cho, his staff at the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, and the team at Ontario Creates for their assistance in updating the Regulations.”
- Cynthia Lynch, Managing Director and Counsel, FilmOntario
“The Section 21 Committee appreciates the work done to update the Diving Regulations to reflect the realities of our industry. These changes will help Ontario’s skilled film and television professionals maintain some of the safest production sets in the province. The updated regulations reflect what is standard practice in other jurisdictions and will keep Ontario competitive in a global production marketplace. We thank Minister Piccini and the staff at the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development for their responsiveness on this issue. We also acknowledge the support of Minister Cho, his team at the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, and Ontario Creates for their assistance in advancing this important update.”
- Samia Hussein, Director, National Industrial Relations and Associate Counsel and Jayson Mosek, Business Agent, NABET 700-M UNIFOR, Section 21 Committee Co-Chairs
About
About ACTRA Toronto
ACTRA Toronto is the largest organization within ACTRA, representing over 15,000 of Canada’s 30,000 professional performers working in recorded media in Canada. An advocate for Canadian culture since 1943, ACTRA is a member-driven union that continues to secure rights and respect for the work of professional performers.
About the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development advances safe, fair and harmonious workplace practices that are essential to the social and economic well-being of the people of Ontario.
About Ontario Creates
Ontario Creates is an agency of the Government of Ontario that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries, including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors.
About FilmOntario
FilmOntario is a not-for-profit, non-partisan industry consortium with members from all parts of the province’s screen-based industry, including unions, guilds, producers, studios, equipment suppliers, and financial and legal services companies. We advocate on behalf of the industry to all levels of government and promote Ontario as a leading production jurisdiction.
About OHSA Film and Television Section 21 Advisory Committee
The Film and Television Section 21 Advisory Committee is one of seven Section 21 Committees that were formed by the Ontario Minister of Labour under section 21 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) to give sector-specific advice to the minister on health and safety issues.
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Media Contacts:
Avia Allen, Director of Communications and Organizing, ACTRA Toronto
416-642-6726, aallen@actratoronto.com
Jennifer McGibbon, Public Relations Officer, ACTRA Toronto
416-642-6710, jmcgibbon@actratoronto.com
Michel Figueredo, Director of Digital Communications, Issues & Legislative Affairs, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
437-860-5049, michel.figueredo@ontario.ca