Equiflash Archive

Equity, with our Creative Industries Coalition partners IATSE, the Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM) and the Associated Designers of Canada (ADC), collectively represent over 50,000 Canadians working in film, television and live performance. As a Coalition we would like our collective members to have the necessary information to make informed voting decisions in the upcoming federal election.

The Coalition has sent a number of relevant questions (including those below) to all of the major federal parties asking them to respond in the election period. Responses will shared with the Equity membership so you can have a clearer understanding of how the different parties view our sector.
Your voice matters in this election
Equity encourages all our members to engage in grassroots advocacy to make sure that the issues that matter to you are front and centre in this election - watch our member education event on Effective Grassroots Lobbying for ideas of how to do this effectively. Also, some of the questions below, would be great questions to ask at online meetings and when candidates or campaign workers come to your door.

Coalition questions

1. Is supporting the arts & culture sector a priority for your party? If so, what actions has your party taken to demonstrate that support?
2. As our industry collapsed, those of our members who are self-employed (including those who are routinely misclassified as independent contractors) were unable to avail themselves of traditional supports like Employment Insurance. Was your party in support of the CERB/CRB, and its extensions?
3. As the CRB approaches what looks to be the termination of the program, we are far from the time that venues will be allowed to open to full audiences. Will your party be advocating for income supports for the live performance workers who are unable to work because their workplaces remain closed or partially closed? If so, what form would these supports take?
4. How does your party plan to support or assist live performance venues with the financial risks of trying to mount productions (which typically take weeks or months of preparation and building) given the potential for being shut down again due to COVID?

As soon as we have received the responses, we will share them with members.