TORONTO, OCTOBER 24, 2022 – Today, the Canadian Media Producers Association and the Directors Guild of Canada jointly announced the successful conclusion of negotiations, resulting in an agreement in principle on the terms for a new Standard Agreement.

“Given the number of challenges the industry has faced over the last few years, we are pleased to put this agreement forward to DGC Members for ratification,” said Catherine Middleton, DGC Associate National Executive Director and co-lead negotiator. “This deal enhances creative and workplace rights of our membership while strengthening working conditions and putting us on the path to more equitable compensation across our councils.”

“We are very pleased to have reached a fair, secure, and mutually beneficial deal with the CMPA for the 3000+ DGC Members in Ontario,” said Victoria Harding, Executive Director of DGC Ontario, and Ontario’s lead negotiator. “Given global employment trends and the recent labour challenges experienced in other jurisdictions, we are happy that Ontario’s industry is stable, and that our Members can continue doing what they do best, elevating the global status of our provincial workforce while their rights are protected and their contributions valued.”

“The partnerships between producers, directors and the many talented crew members behind the camera are fundamental to the success of Canada’s vibrant production industry, and are built on a foundation of mutual respect and strong collaboration. These partnerships have never been more important as Canada’s production industry moves ahead at full steam following the pandemic,” said Sean Porter, the CMPA’s Vice-President of National Industrial Relations and Counsel. “I thank the individuals on both sides of the bargaining table for their commitment to reaching an agreement that serves to benefit the future of our sector and bring Canadian stories to the screen.”

The terms for the new three-year Standard Agreement will be sent to the CMPA’s Board of Directors, and distributed by the DGC to its members, for ratification. The current agreement expires on December 31, 2022.

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ABOUT THE CMPA
The Canadian Media Producers Association is the national advocacy organization for independent producers, representing hundreds of companies engaged in the development, production, and distribution of English-language content made for television, cinema, and digital media channels. We work to promote the continued success of the Canadian production sector and to ensure a bright future for the diverse content made by our members for both domestic and international audiences. cmpa.ca. cmpa.ca

For more information:

Contact:
Gamiela Fereg
Senior Manager, Media Relations & Communications, CMPA
gamiela.fereg@cmpa.ca

ABOUT THE DGC
The Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) is a national labour organization that represents over 6,000 key creative and logistical personnel in the screen-based industry covering all areas of direction, design, production and editing. The DGC negotiates and administers collective agreements and lobbies extensively on issues of concern for Members including Canadian content conditions, CRTC regulations and ensuring that funding is maintained for Canadian film and television programming.

Contact:
DGC National:
Ian Gillespie, Director of Communications, DGC National
igillespie@dgc.ca