Ontario performers, creative and cultural workers deserve the right to fair, protected work.

Ontario’s performers, artists and creatives help power a multi-billion-dollar film, television and commercial production industry. Our work creates jobs, tells Canadian stories and contributes to the cultural and economic life of this province.

But Ontario’s labour laws haven’t kept pace with the way artists work.

That’s why ACTRA Toronto is campaigning for Status of the Artist legislation in Ontario. We want real Status of the Artist legislation that recognizes the unique nature of performers’ work, strengthens our collective bargaining rights across the sector and helps establish fair, enforceable minimum standards across our industry.

We’re ready to fight for it. And we need you with us.

Add your name to the campaign and together, let’s tell the Ontario government that performers deserve meaningful collective bargaining rights and fair minimum standards.

Sign on to the Status of the Artist Now Campaign

What would Status of the Artist mean?

It means recognizing a simple fact: performers are workers.

Performers move from production to production and employer to employer. Our workplaces may be different from those of traditional employees, but our need for fair wages, safe working conditions and strong collective bargaining rights is the same.

Status of the Artist legislation can create a framework that reflects how our industry actually works and gives performers greater power to negotiate the terms and conditions of our work.

Why does it matter?

Our industry is changing quickly.

AI is threatening performers’ work and control over their voices, images and performances. Non-union productions can undercut the standards generations of ACTRA members fought to establish. And growing international competition is putting new pressure on Canadian jobs and Canadian culture.

We want Ontario to establish a level playing field, one where producers compete on the strength of their productions, not on who can pay performers less.

That means stronger protections. Stronger sectoral bargaining rights. And ultimately, more work under fair, professional standards for Ontario performers.

Why now?

Because protecting Canadian culture means protecting the people who create it.

This is a moment when governments, workers and the public are asking serious questions about Canadian jobs, Canadian stories and our cultural sovereignty.

ACTRA Toronto believes performers should be at the centre of that conversation.

We have an opportunity to win meaningful change — but government needs to hear from more than ACTRA Toronto. They need to hear from ACTRA Toronto members.