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

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
jason.lee@cmpa.ca

Tereza Olivero
Director, BC Industrial Relations
604-694-2713
tereza.olivero@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

Jun 23, 2020

CMPA and Alberta’s Teamsters Local 362 reach agreement on new three-year deal

TORONTO / CALGARY, June 23, 2020 – Today, the Canadian Media Producers Association and Teamsters Local 362 jointly announced the […]

Read more →

Oct 31, 2018

CMPA and NABET 700-M UNIFOR reach new agreement

TORONTO, October 31, 2018 — Today, the Canadian Media Producers Association and NABET 700-M UNIFOR jointly announced the successful conclusion […]

Read more →

Sep 11, 2017

Canadian screenwriters and producers extend agreement

TORONTO, September 11, 2017—Canadian screenwriters and producers have agreed to extend the current agreement governing English-language screenwriting in Canada. The […]

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Apr 06, 2017

Independent producers reach historic deal with Alberta labour union

CALGARY, April 6, 2017—The Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) is pleased to announce the conclusion of negotiations with the International […]

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Dec 11, 2015

CMPA and DGC ratify new 2016-2018 Standard Agreement

TORONTO, December 11, 2015—The Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) and the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) are pleased to announce […]

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Jan 23, 2015

Independent producers and Canadian screenwriters reach agreement

TORONTO, January 23, 2015—The Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) and the Association Québecoise de la Production Médiatique (AQPM) have reached an agreement in […]

Read more →

Labour 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.

Download the current wage rates

Download memorandum of agreement

Download Agreement

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Agreements

Alberta agreements

BC agreements

Saskatchewan agreements

Manitoba agreements

Ontario agreements

Quebec agreements

Yukon agreements

National agreements

Maritimes agreements

Newfoundland and 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 Directors Schedule, and jurisdiction-specific schedules for Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Atlantic Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Download the Directors schedule and wage rates

Download 2023-2025 tier tables

Download schedules for Alberta, Manitoba, Maritimes, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Saskatchewan

Download wage rates for Alberta, Manitoba, Maritimes, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Saskatchewan

Download Core Agreement

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Agreements

Alberta agreements

Saskatchewan agreements

Manitoba agreements

Ontario agreements

National agreements

Maritimes agreements

Newfoundland and 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

Hair and makeup bulletin (December 2021)

Download Agreement

Tags:

Agreements

Alberta agreements

Saskatchewan agreements

Manitoba agreements

Ontario agreements

Quebec agreements

Yukon agreements

National agreements

Maritimes agreements

Newfoundland and 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 2021-2024 wage rates

Download COVID-19 Letter of Understanding (revised November 15, 2022)

Download memorandum of agreement

Download Agreement

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Agreements

BC agreements

Yukon agreements

UBCP BC Master Animation Agreement

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).

Download memorandum of agreement

BCMAA Rate Sheet 2023-2026

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 2021-2024 wage rates

Download Sideletter No. 17 re: COVID-19 (revised November 15, 2022)

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 memorandum of agreement

Download 2021-2024 wage rates

Download Sideletter No. 11 re: COVID-19 (revised November 15, 2022)

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 summary rate sheet

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.

Download memorandum of agreement

Appendix 1 – Scale Wages (effective April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024

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 the current wage rates

Download the current tiers and fringes

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 Agreement

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Agreements

Ontario agreements


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.)

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.

Download CMPA admin fee remittance form→

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/series
1.5% or $2,375/production
1.5% or $950/production
1.5%
1.5%
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/episode
1.5% or $2,500/part
1.5% or $3,500/production
1.5% or $5,000/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
1.5%
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%

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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