Labour
agreements
and fees
Our industrial relations work is powered by teams of legal and labour experts in Toronto and Vancouver.
The CMPA negotiates and administers the agreements that govern producers’ working relationships with the industry’s unions and guilds and their members.
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.
Contact us for:
- Interpretation of collective, independent production and standard agreements
- Advice on industry practice
- Assistance in dispute resolution, to avoid costly arbitration
- Immigration matters
Contacts
National
Sean Porter
Vice-President, National Industrial Relations and Counsel
1-647-797-1856 /
1-800-267-8208 ext. 237
sean.porter@cmpa.ca
Samia Hussein
Director, National Industrial Relations and Associate Counsel
1-416-304-0281 /
1-800-267-8208 ext. 237
samia.hussein@cmpa.ca
Christine Rutherford
Senior 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
1-jason.lee@cmpa.ca
Tereza Olivero
Director, BC Industrial Relations
1-604-694-2713
1-866-390-7639 x 123
tereza.olivero@cmpa.ca
Agreements
Alberta
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
Hair and makeup bulletin (December 2021)
Download negotiation highlights
The Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM) Independent Production Agreement establishes the terms, conditions and rates for Musicians engaged on English-language productions in Canada.
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 Directors Schedule, and jurisdiction-specific schedules for Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Maritimes, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Download the Directors schedule and wage rates
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 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.
Appendix 1 – Scale Wages (effective April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024)
British Columbia
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.
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).
The Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM) Independent Production Agreement establishes the terms, conditions and rates for Musicians engaged on English-language productions in Canada.
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).
The Union of BC Performers (UBCP/ACTRA) BC Master Animation Agreement establishes the terms, conditions and rates for performers engaged in animation production on English-language production in British Columbia. UBCP/ACTRA is an autonomous branch of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA).
The Union of BC Performers (UBCP/ACTRA) BC Master Production Agreement (BCMPA) 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/ACTRA is an autonomous branch of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA). The UBCP/ACTRA BCMPA is jointly negotiated by the CMPA and the Canadian Affiliates of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
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.
Manitoba
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
Hair and makeup bulletin (December 2021)
Download negotiation highlights
The Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM) Independent Production Agreement establishes the terms, conditions and rates for Musicians engaged on English-language productions in Canada.
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 Directors Schedule, and jurisdiction-specific schedules for Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Maritimes, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Download the Directors schedule and wage rates
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.
Maritimes
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
Hair and makeup bulletin (December 2021)
Download negotiation highlights
The Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM) Independent Production Agreement establishes the terms, conditions and rates for Musicians engaged on English-language productions in Canada.
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 Directors Schedule, and jurisdiction-specific schedules for Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Maritimes, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Download the Directors schedule and wage rates
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.
Newfoundland and Labrador
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
Hair and makeup bulletin (December 2021)
Download negotiation highlights
The Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM) Independent Production Agreement establishes the terms, conditions and rates for Musicians engaged on English-language productions in Canada.
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 Directors Schedule, and jurisdiction-specific schedules for Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Maritimes, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Download the Directors schedule and wage rates
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.
Ontario
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
Hair and makeup bulletin (December 2021)
Download negotiation highlights
The Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM) Independent Production Agreement establishes the terms, conditions and rates for Musicians engaged on English-language productions in Canada.
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 Directors Schedule, and jurisdiction-specific schedules for Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Maritimes, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Download the Directors schedule and wage rates
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.
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.
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.
Saskatchewan
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
Hair and makeup bulletin (December 2021)
Download negotiation highlights
The Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM) Independent Production Agreement establishes the terms, conditions and rates for Musicians engaged on English-language productions in Canada.
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 Directors Schedule, and jurisdiction-specific schedules for Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Maritimes, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Download the Directors schedule and wage rates
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.
Yukon
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).
The Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM) Independent Production Agreement establishes the terms, conditions and rates for Musicians engaged on English-language productions in Canada.
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).
The Union of British Columbia Performers (UBCP) BC Master 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).
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).
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.
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. Learn more about CMPA membership here, If you are not eligible for CMPA membership, learn more about our permittee membership for access to these discounts.
For national productions (outside of BC), use the downloadable form below for submitting remittance fees for all guilds, except ACTRA-TIP and permit fees. Should you have any questions regarding remittances, email us at finance@cmpa.ca.
National fees
Union/guild | Production type | CMPA member (max rate) | Non-member (no max rate) |
|---|---|---|---|
ACTRA (Gross performer payroll under $2 million) |  SeriesMini-seriesFeature, MOW, pilot | 2.0% or $3,800/episode2.0% or $3,800/part2.0% or $3,800/production | 2.5% |
ACTRA (Gross performer payroll over $2 million) | Mini-series (excludes series)Feature, MOW, pilot | 2.0% or $5,700/part2.0% or $5,700/production | 2.5% |
DGC | SeriesMini-seriesFeature, MOW, pilot | 2.0% or $2,375/episode2.0% or $4,750/part2.0% or $4,750/production | 2.5% |
IATSE Local 411 | SeriesMini-seriesFeature, MOW, pilot | 1.5% or $2,375/series1.5% or $2,375/production1.5% or $950/production | 1.5% |
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 $2,500/episode1.5% or $2,500/part1.5% or $3,500/production1.5% or $5,000/production | 1.5% |
TEAMSTERS | SeriesMini-seriesFeature, MOW, pilot | 2% or $2,375/episode2% or $4,750/part2% or $4,750/production | 2.5% |
WGC (Also applicable to British Columbia productions) | SeriesMini-seriesFeature, MOW, pilot | 2.75% or $1,900/episode2.75% or $2,850/part2.75% or $2,850/production | 3.5% |
British Columbia fees
Union/guild | Production type | CMPA member (max rate) | Non-member (no max rate) |
|---|---|---|---|
ACFC West | All (includes per episode) | 1.0% no maximum | 1.5% |
BC & Yukon Council of Film Unions | SeriesLow-budget feature, MOWHigh-budget feature, mini-seriesPilot | 1.0% or $1,500/episode 1.0% or $2,000/production1.0% or $4,500/part0.5% or $1,500/production | 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/episode2.75% or $2,850/production2.75% or $2,850/part | 3.5% |
UBCP (Gross performer payroll under $2 million) | Series, mini-seriesFeature, MOW | 1.0% or $3,000/episode1.0% or $3,000/production | 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% |
FAQs
IPA means independent production agreement. The CMPA’s agreements with ACTRA and the WGC are IPAs.
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.
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.
Yes, all administration fees are subject to GST/HST, with rates based on the province of production. The CMPA GST/HST number is 121408322RT.
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.