Labour agreements and fees

The CMPA negotiates and administers the agreements that govern producers’ working relationships with the industry’s unions and guilds and their members.

Contact

NATIONAL

Warren Ross
Vice-President, National Industrial Relations and Senior Counsel
1-416-304-0281 /
1-800-267-8208 ext. 227
warren.ross@cmpa.ca

Sean Porter
Director, National Industrial Relations and Counsel
1-647-797-1856 /
1-800-267-8208 ext. 237
sean.porter@cmpa.ca

Christine Rutherford
Manager, National Industrial Relations
1-416-304-0278 /
1-800-267-8208 ext. 226
christine.rutherford@cmpa.ca

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Jason Lee
Vice-President, BC Industrial Relations
1-604-694-2712 /
1-866-390-7639 ext. 124
jason.lee@cmpa.ca

Jennifer Buchanan
Director, BC Industrial Relations & Member Services
1-604-682-8619 /
1-866-390-7639 ext. 123
jennifer.buchanan@cmpa.ca

Our industrial relations work is powered by teams of legal and labour experts in Toronto and Vancouver.

Our goal is to shape and maintain a stable and predictable labour environment for Canada’s film, television and digital media producers. Our work focuses on all aspects of industry labour relations, including the negotiation of agreements on behalf of our members, the resolution of disputes, fielding inquiries from our members about labour-related concerns, and advocating to government and before boards and tribunals on labour-related issues.

Member feedback is important to us. In advance of any negotiation with our union and guild partners, the CMPA reaches out to solicit input from members. (If you are a member, learn more about upcoming roadshows.)

We are here for our members and want to be your first call when you need labour relations help.

Contact us

Contact the Industrial Relations team for:

  • Interpretation of collective, independent production and standard agreements
  • Advice on industry practice
  • Assistance in dispute resolution, to avoid costly arbitration
  • Immigration matters

If your production is taking place in Canada outside of British Columbia, contact the national team in Toronto. If your production is taking place in British Columbia, contact the BC team, based in Vancouver.

What we’ve been working on

Nov 15, 2018

Canadian performers and independent producers secure deal on new Independent Production Agreement

TORONTO, November 15, 2018 — Today, following productive negotiatio­­ns, the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA), the […]

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Oct 03, 2018

Canada’s independent producers and directors ratify new CMPA-DGC Standard Agreement

TORONTO, October 3, 2018 – Today, the Directors Guild of Canada and the Canadian Media Producers Association jointly announced the ratification […]

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Jul 13, 2018

Canadian Media Producers Association and Directors Guild of Canada sign new labour agreement

TORONTO, July 13, 2018—The Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) and the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) are pleased to announce […]

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Dec 08, 2015

Canadian performers and independent producers reach new agreement

TORONTO, December 8, 2015—Canadian performers and producers have reached a new Independent Production Agreement (IPA) governing English-language production in Canada. […]

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Nov 09, 2015

Canadian Media Production Association and Directors Guild of Canada reach agreement

TORONTO, November 9, 2015—The Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) has reached agreement in principle with the Directors Guild of Canada […]

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Sep 10, 2015

Canadian Media Production Association, Producers Guild of America sign cooperation agreement

TORONTO, September 10, 2015—The Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) and the Producers Guild of America (PGA) today signed an international […]

Read more →

Fee summary

When you enter into one of our labour agreements, you’ll be required to pay administration fees to the CMPA. CMPA members receive discounts on these fees, as illustrated in the table below. (If you are not eligible for CMPA membership, learn more about our permittee membership for access to these discounts.)

National

Union/guild
Production type
CMPA member (max rate)
Non-member (no max rate)
ACTRA
(Gross performer payroll under $2 million)
Series
Mini-series
Feature, MOW, pilot
2.0% or $3,800/episode
2.0% or $3,800/part
2.0% or $3,800/production
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
ACTRA
(Gross performer payroll over $2 million)
Mini-series (excludes series)
Feature, MOW, pilot
2.0% or $5,700/part
2.0% or $5,700/production
2.5%
2.5%
DGC
Series
Mini-series
Feature, MOW, pilot
2.0% or $2,375/episode
2.0% or $4,750/part
2.0% or $4,750/production
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
IATSE Local 411
Series
Mini-series
Feature, MOW, pilot
1.5% or $2,375/episode
1.5% or $2,375/production
1.5% or $950/production
1.5% or $2,375/series
1.5% or $2,375/production
1.5% or $950/production
NABET
Series (all tiers)
Mini-series (all tiers)
Feature, MOW, pilot (tiers C and below)
Feature, MOW, pilot (tiers A and B)
1.5% or $2,375/episode
1.5% or $2,375/part
1.5% or $3,325/production
1.5% or $4,750/production
1.5%
1.5%
1.5%
1.5%
TEAMSTERS
Series
Mini-series
Feature, MOW, pilot
2% or $2,375/episode
2% or $4,750/part
2% or $4,750/production
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
WGC
(Also applicable to British Columbia productions)
Series
Mini-series
Feature, MOW, pilot
2.75% or $1,900/episode
2.75% or $2,850/part
2.75% or $2,850/production
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%

British Columbia

Union/guild
Production type
CMPA member (max rate)
Non-member (no max rate)
ACFC West
All (includes per episode)
1.0% no maximum
1.0%
BC & Yukon Council of Film Unions
Series
Low-budget feature, MOW
High-budget feature, mini-series
Pilot
1.0% or $1,500/episode
1.0% or $2,000/production
1.0% or $4,500/part
0.5% or $1,500/production
2.0%
2.0%
2.0%
2.0%
DGC BC
All (includes per episode)
1.0% no maximum
2.0%
WGC
(Also applicable to national productions)
Series
Feature, MOW, pilot
Mini-series
2.75% or $1,900/episode
2.75% or $2,850/production
2.75% or $2,850/part
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
UBCP
(Gross performer payroll under $2 million)
Series, mini-series
Feature, MOW
1.0% or $3,000/episode
1.0% or $3,000/production
2.0%
2.0%
UBCP
(Gross performer payroll over $2 million)
All (excludes series)
1.0% or $5,000/episode
2.0%
UBCP Animation
All
0.5% no maximum
1.0%

Labour agreements

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  • Yukon agreements
  • New Brunswick agreements
  • Nova Scotia agreements
  • PEI agreements
  • Newfoundland & Labrador agreements
British Columbia & Yukon Council of Film Unions Master Agreement

The British Columbia & Yukon Council of Film Unions Master Agreement establishes the terms, conditions and rates for labour technicians from IATSE 891 (technical crew including grip, props, construction, transportation, set decorating, hair, makeup and wardrobe), IATSE 669 (camera and publicity crew) and Teamsters 155 (including transportation and catering). This agreement is jointly negotiated by the CMPA and the Canadian Affiliates of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

Download memorandum of agreement

Download 2018-2021 wage rates

Download Agreement

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Agreements

BC agreements

Yukon agreements

UBCP Animation Agreement

The Union of British Columbia Performers (UBCP) Animation Agreement establishes the terms, conditions and rates for performers engaged in animation production on English-language production in British Columbia. UBCP is an autonomous branch of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA).

Download the current wage rates

Download Agreement

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Agreements

BC agreements

Yukon agreements

UBCP BC Master Production Agreement

The Union of British Columbia Performers (UBCP) BC Master Production Agreement establishes the terms, conditions and rates for on-camera and off-camera performers engaged on English-language production in British Columbia and the Yukon. UBCP is an autonomous branch of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA). The UBCP BC Master Production Agreement is jointly negotiated by the CMPA and the Canadian Affiliates of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

Download 2018-2021 wage rates

Download Agreement

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Agreements

BC agreements

Yukon agreements

DGC BC Collective Agreement

The Directors Guild of Canada, British Columbia District Council (DGC BC) Collective Agreement establishes the terms, conditions and rates for directors, production managers, assistant directors, location department personnel and other professionals engaged on productions in BC and the Yukon. This agreement is jointly negotiated by the CMPA and the Canadian Affiliates of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

Download 2018-2021 wage rates

Download Agreement

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Agreements

BC agreements

Yukon agreements

ACFC West Local 2020 UNIFOR Collective Agreement

The Association of Canadian Film Craftspeople Local 2020 UNIFOR (ACFC West) Collective Agreement establishes the terms, conditions and rates for a number of technical crew—including grip, props, construction, transportation, set, hair, makeup and wardrobe—engaged on productions in BC.

Download Agreement

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Agreements

BC agreements

Teamsters Local 362 Alberta Master Agreement

The CMPA / Teamsters Local 362 Alberta Master Agreement establishes the terms, conditions and rates for those employed in classifications including driving, catering, wrangling and animal training on productions in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.

Revised wage sheets (as of April 1, 2018)

Download Agreement

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Agreements

Alberta agreements

NABET 700-M UNIFOR Collective Agreement

The NABET 700-M UNIFOR (NABET) Collective Agreement establishes the terms, conditions and rates for a number of technical crew, including grip, props, construction, transportation, set, hair, makeup and wardrobe, engaged on productions in Ontario.

Download memorandum of agreement (MOA)

Download highlights of 2019-2021 renewal agreement

Download Agreement

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Agreements

Ontario agreements

IATSE Local 411 Collective Agreement

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, its Territories and Canada (IATSE) Local 411 Agreement establishes the terms, conditions and rates for craftservice providers and honeywagon operators engaged on productions in Ontario.

Download memorandum of agreement (MOA)

Download highlights of 2019-2021 renewal agreement

Download Agreement

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Agreements

Ontario agreements

WGC Independent Production Agreement

The Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) IPA establishes the terms, conditions and rates for writers, story editors and story consultants engaged on English-language productions in Canada. The WGC IPA is jointly negotiated by the CMPA and its French-language counterpart, the AQPM.

In September 2017, the CMPA, AQPM and WGC agreed to a contract extension to June 30, 2019 with a 1% increase, effective January 1, 2018.

Download the IPA extension agreement

Download Agreement

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Agreements

Alberta agreements

BC agreements

Saskatchewan agreements

Manitoba agreements

Ontario agreements

Quebec agreements

Yukon agreements

New Brunswick agreements

Nova Scotia agreements

PEI agreements

Newfoundland & Labrador agreements

DGC Standard Agreement

The Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) Standard Agreement establishes the terms, conditions and rates for directors, production managers, assistant directors, editors, location department personnel and other professionals engaged on productions in Canada, excluding BC and Quebec. In addition to the Core Agreement, there is a separate Director’s Schedule, and jurisdiction-specific schedules for Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Atlantic Canada.

Download memorandum of agreement (MOA)

Download the 2016-2018 Director’s Schedule

Download schedules for Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Atlantic Canada

Download the current wage rates for Alberta and Ontario

 

DGC core agreement:

Download Agreement

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Agreements

Alberta agreements

Saskatchewan agreements

Manitoba agreements

Ontario agreements

New Brunswick agreements

Nova Scotia agreements

PEI agreements

Newfoundland & Labrador agreements

ACTRA Independent Production Agreement

The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) Independent Production Agreement (IPA) establishes the terms, conditions and rates for on- and off-camera performers engaged on English-language productions in Canada, excluding BC. The ACTRA IPA is jointly negotiated by the CMPA and its French-language counterpart, the AQPM.

Download the current wage rates

Download Agreement

Tags:

Agreements

Alberta agreements

Saskatchewan agreements

Manitoba agreements

Ontario agreements

Quebec agreements

Yukon agreements

New Brunswick agreements

Nova Scotia agreements

PEI agreements

Newfoundland & Labrador agreements

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FAQ

What does IPA mean?

IPA means independent production agreement. The CMPA’s agreements with ACTRA and the WGC are IPAs.

As a CMPA member, am I automatically bound to the labour agreements negotiated by the CMPA?

No, all agreements negotiated by the CMPA are available to members and non-members on a voluntary recognition basis, meaning the producer chooses whether to become signatory. If you have questions about adhering to the collective agreements, please contact either the CMPA’s national or BC branch IR department.

Do I need to be a CMPA member to access the labour agreements?

No, the agreements negotiated by the CMPA are available to both members and non-members. However, the administration fees for each agreement are higher for non-members.

Do I have to pay tax on administration fees?

Yes, all administration fees are subject to GST/HST, with rates based on the province of production. The CMPA GST/HST number is 121408322RT.

I want to use professional talent, but can’t afford to. What are my options?

There are various low-budget incentive programs with ACTRA (such as the CIPIP under Appendix 18 of the IPA, and TIP, a stand-alone low-budget agreement). The UBCP offers the BC Indie Program. These programs help producers access professional performers on low-budget productions. If a low-budget agreement does not exist, a union or guild may still be willing to partner with production to vary certain challenging terms and conditions in order to allow the producer to adhere to the negotiated agreement. For more information, please call the national or BC branch IR department.

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