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 twenty-four (24) members in good standing of ACTRA Toronto, elected every two years by all full members as described in Article 5, of the ACTRA Toronto By-Laws.

ACTRA Toronto’s governing council of twenty-four 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 consist of: the President; the immediate Past President; the Treasurer; 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 ACTRA Toronto President is the Chair of the ACTRA Toronto Council and is elected by that body every alternate year to the Council election year. The ACTRA Toronto By-Laws designate the President as the official spokesperson for ACTRA Toronto.

Current ACTRA Toronto President

Kate Ziegler was elected President of ACTRA Toronto on Tuesday, January 7th, 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

It is the practice of ACTRA Toronto Council to meet monthly, except for one month in the summer. Council must meet once every three months. Quorum for regular business is 12 members or alternates present.

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

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

What’s Council Doing Right Now?

There are several ways to keep informed about what your Council is doing:

• Watch your email inbox for communications from ACTRA Toronto with news and updates about what your union is doing.
• Read ACTRA Toronto Council Meeting minutes online.
• Council reports regularly to members in person through plenary sessions at Members’ Conferences
• Town hall meetings are called at key points to seek member input.
• You are invited to view ACTRA Toronto’s Operating Plan for details on ACTRA Toronto’s directions for the year.

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!