Join the CMPA
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Membership is the best way to make your voice heard and shape the future of the sector.
The CMPA works to secure a bright future for the Canadian media production industry. We understand the challenges facing media producers, and we have the collective strength and expertise to meet these challenges head on. All of our advocacy work, programs, activities and events serve one goal: the success of our members.
CMPA membership lets producers take full advantage of our benefits and services, from reduced labour costs to professional development opportunities. Hundreds of Canadian media production companies count themselves among our ranks, and already take advantage of the excellent benefits we offer.
Each CMPA member company also commits to fostering a workplace free from discrimination, harassment and bullying, including the promotion of and adherence to a code of conduct with the company’s employees and agents.
Member benefits
You’ll be heard by government, at the negotiating table with the unions and guilds that represent your workers, by influential industry stakeholders, and by other producers. The diverse makeup of our Board of Directors means that no matter your company’s size, your region or your genre, the CMPA is always going to bat for you. You’ll also have the chance to work directly on specific industry issues and challenges through our committees.
Here’s a snapshot of some of the benefits a CMPA membership offers:
Collective agreements
We negotiate collective agreements with labour organizations representing the workers you need to hire. As a member, you’ll receive significant discounts on mandatory administration fees.
Conferences and events
Members receive a reduced rate to our annual conference, Prime Time in Ottawa. You can also get discounted registration rates for the Banff World Media Festival, Just for Laughs Festival, Hot Docs and more.
Professional development
The CMPA works with its members to determine their priorities for professional development, and then produces workshops, panels, webcasts, pitch sessions and other networking events in order to help create business opportunities and build capacity for member companies across the country. CMPA members also receive discounts for business-boosting professional development courses, workshops and industry events.
Staff expertise
The CMPA staff is made up of leading experts with an in-depth understanding of copyright, collective agreements, tax credits, financing, co-production, government policy and regulatory affairs. Contact them whenever you need support—they’re here to help.
Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) membership
CMPA members receive free membership to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), and can enjoy all CFIB benefits at no additional cost, including access to business counsellors, online courses, templates and HR support, along with exclusive discounts on banking, payroll, shipping costs, and much more.
Mentorship programs
The CMPA’s mentorship programs connect our members with enthusiastic trainees, and nurture the careers of the next crop of producers and filmmakers. Salaries are partially subsidized by the CMPA.
Exclusive member discounts
- Group health, drug, dental, and travel plans with Health Plus
- Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) with Sterling Capital Brokers
- Save up to 40% on group home and auto insurance plans with The Co-operators
- 35% discount on FedEx services
Members can learn details and access discount codes in My Benefits.
CMPA member directory
Our searchable member directory is a great way to market your company for domestic and international partnerships. Members and non-members alike can search the directory for CMPA member partners based on location, genre and more. Not only does it promote your company to producers around the world, it’s also a great way for you to find the CMPA member partner you may be looking for.
News you need
As a member, you’ll receive essential email updates to keep you in the loop:
- Daily News Flash, a daily service of need-to-know industry information, curated from thousands of publications and news sites.
- Member Matters, a twice-monthly digest of events, member discounts, executive moves and other useful information.
- Notes to Members, frequent updates (on an as-needed basis) on CMPA happenings and industry developments.
- Producers and Politics, a quarterly update on the CMPA’s advocacy activities.
Members can also save up to 30% on vital industry publications such as C21, The Hollywood Reporter, Playback Online, Screen International and more.
And more
Download our brochure to learn more about CMPA membership.
Member categories and fees
Canadian producers come in different shapes and sizes. The CMPA has four membership categories to suit each, plus a permittee membership available on a per-project basis.
Annual membership runs from April 1 to March 31. Please note that fees are not prorated if you join midway through the year. We do, however, offer a fourth-quarter discount for applications received between January 1 and March 31. Please contact us directly for more information about the fourth-quarter discount.
Note that broadcaster-affiliated companies with less than 30% ownership from a private broadcaster or broadcast distribution undertaking are eligible for CMPA membership.
Get more information about our administration fees.
Which category is for you?
Producer
This category applies to companies producing film, television or digital media (this includes service production) that are provincially or federally incorporated, and majority-owned by Canadian citizens or permanent residents. The membership of a parent company covers all of its subsidiary companies.
| Full-time employees | Membership fee |
|---|---|
| 0–1 | $750 |
| 2 | $1,300 |
| 3–5 | $1,950 |
| 6–9 | $2,750 |
| 10–19 | $5,500 |
| 20+ | $8,250 |
Start-up
This category is for producers engaged in the creation of film, television or interactive media production, including service production, who are new to membership with the CMPA. This would exclude companies with three or more full-time employees. If you have been a director or principal for a company that is, or has been, a CMPA member company within the last 10 years, you are ineligible for this membership category. This limitation applies even if the previous member company no longer exists, or your relationship to that company no longer exists. Two years would be permitted under this membership category. Must be provincially or federally incorporated and majority owned by Canadian citizens or permanent residents. The membership of a parent company covers all of its subsidiary companies.
| Type | Membership fee |
|---|---|
| Start-up | $300 |
Interactive media
For companies whose primary business is producing interactive media. Eligibility is limited to companies, including owned or affiliated subsidiary companies, having more than 75% of their combined annual gross revenues originating from the creation or exploitation (e.g., distribution or marketing) of interactive media. Must be provincially or federally incorporated and majority owned by Canadian citizens or permanent residents. The membership of a parent company covers all of its subsidiary companies.
| Type | Membership fee |
|---|---|
| Interactive media | $500 |
Associate
This category applies to individuals or companies who are not producers, but offer necessary services to the media industry (e.g., financial, legal, facilities). Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or, if applying as a company, must be a majority Canadian-owned and controlled corporation or partnership. Associate membership includes access to all benefits (excluding access to collective agreements).
| Full-time employees | Membership fee |
|---|---|
| 0–1 | $750 |
| 2–3 | $1,300 |
| 4+ | $2,200 |
Permittee
This category applies to companies that are ineligible for full CMPA membership. The permittee membership allows the production company to access the discounted administration fees payable through the labour agreements. Additionally, you may access the expertise of the industrial relations team. Permittee members are not eligible to vote or to access any other membership benefits. The fees for permittee membership are established annually.
*If a pilot results in a series, the producer will pay a top-up fee for the series’ first season. Subsequent seasons are subject to the full series fee.
If you are applying for a permittee membership, please fill out this form and send your completed application to:
National
Gillian Manchee
British Columbia
Jeremy Sorensen
| Production type | Membership fee |
|---|---|
| Series | $5,400 |
| Mini-series | $4,800 |
| Feature, MOW, pilot | $4,200 |
| Series top-up * | $1,200 |
Renew your membership
To renew your CMPA membership, log in to the My Profile page and complete a renewal form.
FAQs
All membership categories except Associate apply to federally or provincially incorporated companies only. Associate membership is for Canadian individuals and/or companies.
Create your login account, fill out the online membership application, and attach your incorporation certificate and letter of reference.
All CMPA membership applications must be approved by the CMPA’s Board of Directors. Applications are approved by the Board monthly.
Once your application has been approved, we will request your membership payment.
To apply for CMPA membership, you must provide a letter of reference from a current voting CMPA member. Visit our searchable member directory.
The letter of reference must be submitted on company letterhead, include responses to the following questions and be signed by a principal or an officer of the company.
- How long have you known the applicant?
- How long has the applicant been a producer (if applicable)?
- What types of projects does the applicant produce?
- Do you recommend that the CMPA Board of Directors approve the applicant as a member of the CMPA?
Alternatively, we also accept a letter of reference from a Canadian accredited educational institution confirming the successful completion of your degree or diploma. The degree or diploma must be in film, television, or related industry curriculum and received within the past five years. The letter of reference must be on the institution’s letterhead and be signed by the head of your faculty.
The CMPA Board of Directors approves new applications monthly.
You will receive notification that your membership application has been approved. The CMPA accepts Visa, MasterCard, Amex, electronic funds transfer (EFT) or cheques. Secure credit card payments can be made online.
Annual membership runs from April 1 to March 31. Please note that fees are not prorated if you join midway through the year.
Annual membership runs from April 1 to March 31, fees are not prorated if you join midway through the year.
We do, however, offer a fourth-quarter deal for applications received between January 1 and March 31.
This means your membership fee can be pro-rated over the last quarter, if you pay for next year’s membership at the same time.
If you are a new member, the CMPA Board of Directors must first approve your application. Once approved, your payment will be requested. After your payment has been processed, you will receive your membership number.
If you are renewing your membership, your member number will be provided after your fees have been paid.
All CMPA memberships expire on March 31, regardless of when a company joins/renews.
No, the choice to use unions and guilds is completely up to you.
Members remitting administration fee payments related to national productions outside BC and Quebec are required to complete a remittance form, which can be downloaded from the CMPA website. This form can be used to calculate payment rates and caps for any guild, with the exception of permit fees.
If your membership lapses for more than five consecutive years, you will need to reapply as a new member. This process includes submitting a letter of reference and obtaining approval from the CMPA Board of Directors.