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Fighting for Performers: An Update on ACTRA Member Dues

Why This Matters

For decades, Canadian performers have faced increasing challenges and in recent years, these pressures have only intensified:

  • A devastating 1,000+ day commercial lockout
  • Two major U.S. labour disruptions
  • Ongoing legal battles
  • Mounting pressure on Canada’s cultural sector
  • The pandemic’s impact on productions
  • An uncertain political landscape
  • The threat of AI to our livelihood

Through it all, ACTRA has fought tirelessly to protect performers’ rights, negotiate stronger contracts, and advocate for equality and fairness in the industry. But to continue this work, ACTRA must remain stronger than ever.

How ACTRA is Funded

Like all unions, ACTRA is funded primarily by member dues—the foundation that allows us to protect performers’ rights, negotiate stronger contracts, and advocate for fairness and equality.

Our dues structure has remained unchanged for 18 years, despite inflation rising 41%. After extensive discussions by the National and Branch Councils, ACTRA is making the necessary decision to update dues to ensure we can continue fighting for performers—today and into the future.

What’s Changing?

Basic Annual Dues

  • A carefully considered adjustment from $195 to $225 in 2025, then $250 in 2026 and beyond, ensuring ACTRA has the resources to keep fighting for performers

Working Dues

  • A small increase from 2.25% to 2.5% of gross earnings starting in 2026, giving members time to prepare

Dues Cap Update

  • The $4,000 limit on combined basic and working dues will be removed in 2025, which affects only those members who earn over $169,000 per year

Dues are tax deductible. Senior members pay 50% of the basic dues amount.

Why This Matters for Performers

These updates allow ACTRA to continue advocating for performers at every level, ensuring:

  • Fair wages and better working conditions
  • Stronger protections for performers’ rights in a rapidly evolving industry
  • Safe, equitable, respectful and harassment-free workplaces
  • A fair compensation model that values performers’ contributions
  • A voice for Canadian stories on screen
  • Protections from the threat of AI to our livelihood

Next Steps: Your Vote Matters

We are asking members to support this update to ensure the strength and stability of our union. A Constitutional Referendum vote for eligible full members will begin on March 6, 2025, at 12pm ET / 9am PT and close on March 20, 2025 at 12pm ET / 9am PT.

ACTRA will provide social media posts, emails, FAQs, and additional resources to ensure every member understands what this update means and why it is necessary.

This is more than just an update—it’s an opportunity for ACTRA performers to unite and protect the future of our industry.

Talk to your fellow members. Stay informed. Share the message.

ACTRA needs to be ready—now more than ever. For the fight. For the future.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is ACTRA seeking to adjust member dues?

ACTRA has not adjusted its dues structure in 18 years, despite inflation increasing by 41% over that time. Over the past five years alone, the industry has faced major disruptions, including the 1,000+ day commercial lockout, the pandemic and two major U.S. labour actions. To continue protecting performers, negotiating fair contracts and advocating for our industry, ACTRA must strengthen its financial foundation.

How will this dues adjustment benefit me as a performer?

The dues adjustment will ensure ACTRA has the resources to continue to:

  • Maintain and expand member services.
  • Negotiate better contracts with higher wages and improved protections.
  • Defend performers’ rights in an evolving industry, including addressing issues like artificial intelligence (AI) and outdated residual models.
  • Advocate for stronger workplace safety, fair pay and anti-harassment measures.
  • Support Canadian content production and protect performers’ place in the industry.
How will my dues change?

If the Constitutional Referendum passes, the dues update will be implemented over a two-year period:

Year 1 (2025): basic dues will increase by $30 (from $195 to $225); the dues cap will be removed (it is currently $4,000 combined).

Year 2 (2026): basic dues will increase by an additional $25 (from $225 to $250); working dues will increase by 0.25% to 2.5% of gross earnings (from 2.25%).

For performers who earn more than $169,000 in a calendar year, the current combined dues cap of $4,000 means no additional working dues are paid after that level is reached. The removal of the dues cap means that those high-earning members (i.e. those earning above $169,000) will continue to pay working dues on every dollar earned.

Note: Senior members pay 50% of the regular basic dues amount.

What does this mean to me and my pay?

In 2025, the basic dues increase will average out to an additional $2.50 per month. There is no increase to working dues in 2025.

In 2026, the basic dues increase will average out to an additional $2.08 per month more than 2025. With a 0.25% increase to working dues, that means you will provide $0.25 to ACTRA for every $100 you earn in Gross Fees. As a generic example:

2025 with 2.25% working dues:

Gross Fee = $2,100 (($1,000.00 Daily Fee + $1,100.00 (110% Use Fee))

Working dues deduction = Gross Fee x 2.25% = $47.25

Total take home pay (before 12.5% in benefits added) = $2,052.75

Running the same scenario for 2026 with 2.50% working dues:

Gross Fee = $2,100 ($1,000.00 Daily Fee + $1,100.00 (110% Use Fee))

Working dues deduction = Gross Fee x 2.50% = $52.50

Total take home pay (before 12.5% insurance and retirement benefits added) = $2,047.50

Are dues tax-deductible?

Yes! ACTRA dues are tax-deductible.

Will this be a one-time adjustment or will there be more changes in the future?

This change is necessary to maintain ACTRA’s strength and effectiveness. The dues changes will roll out over the next 2 years. ACTRA will continue to evaluate its financial position to ensure it can keep fighting for performers in a sustainable way.

What will happen if ACTRA doesn’t raise dues?

Without these adjustments, ACTRA would face significant financial strain that could impact the union’s ability to:

  • Provide services and protections members rely on.
  • Negotiate stronger contracts.
  • Advocate effectively for performers’ rights.
  • Fight against industry challenges, such as the commercial lockout or the ongoing threat of AI.
How does ACTRA use membership dues?

Membership dues fund the essential work ACTRA does, including:

  • Providing services like education/training, workshops and member advocacy.
  • Negotiating ACTRA’s collective agreements to achieve fair wages and better working conditions.
  • Enforcing collective agreements and protecting members’ rights.
  • Lobbying for Canadian cultural protections, funding, competitive tax incentives and public policy changes on a national, provincial and municipal level.
  • Defending performers against industry changes, like Artificial Intelligence, that threaten their livelihoods.
Is ACTRA doing anything else to secure funding outside of updating dues?

Yes! ACTRA continually seeks alternative funding sources, including working with industry partners, securing grants and advocating for government support. However, member dues remain the primary source of ACTRA’s funding and ensures the union’s independence and ability to fight for performers’ rights.

Who is eligible to vote in the dues referendum?

All ACTRA Full (including Life) members in good standing are eligible to vote in the dues update referendum.

Are all ACTRA members (Full, Apprentice and AABP) required to pay basic and working dues?

Only full ACTRA members pay basic dues. Full Members have working dues deducted at source on each engagement.

What can I do to help?
  • Stay informed by reading our eblasts, following us on social and sharing accurate information with your sibling members.
  • Participate in ACTRA’s advocacy efforts to strengthen performers’ rights.
  • Engage in discussions about how ACTRA can best serve its members.
  • Support the dues increase so ACTRA can continue protecting you and your sibling performers today and in the future.

Se battre pour les artistes-interprètes : Une mise à jour sur les cotisations des membres de l’ACTRA

Pourquoi c’est important

Depuis des décennies, les artistes-interprètes canadiens sont confrontés à des défis croissants et, ces dernières années, ces pressions n’ont fait que s’intensifier :

  • Un lock-out commercial accablant de plus de 1 000 jours
  • Deux grèves de travail importantes aux États-Unis
  • Des batailles juridiques constantes
  • Une pression croissante sur le secteur culturel canadien
  • L’impact de la pandémie sur les productions
  • Un paysage politique incertain
  • La menace que représente l’IA pour nos moyens de subsistance

Malgré tout, l’ACTRA s’est battue sans relâche pour protéger les droits des artistes-interprètes, négocier des contrats plus solides et plaider en faveur de l’égalité et de l’équité dans l’industrie. Mais pour poursuivre ce travail, l’ACTRA doit rester plus forte que jamais.

Comment l’ACTRA est financée

Comme tous les syndicats, l’ACTRA est principalement financée par les cotisations de ses membres – la base qui nous permet de protéger les droits des artistes-interprètes, de négocier des contrats plus solides et de plaider en faveur de l’équité et de l’égalité.

Notre structure de cotisations est restée inchangée depuis 18 ans, malgré une inflation en hausse de 41 %. Après des discussions approfondies au sein du conseil national et des conseils locaux, l’ACTRA prend la décision nécessaire de mettre à jour les cotisations afin de s’assurer que nous pouvons continuer à nous battre pour les artistes-interprètes, aujourd’hui et à l’avenir.

Qu’est ce qui change ?

Les cotisations annuelles de base

  • Un ajustement soigneusement étudié de 195 $ à 225 $ en 2025, puis 250 $ à partir de 2026, garantissant à l’ACTRA les ressources nécessaires pour continuer à se battre pour les artistes-interprètes.

Les cotisations de travail

  • Une légère augmentation de 2,25 % à 2,5 % des revenus bruts à partir de 2026, ce qui donne aux membres le temps de se préparer.

Mise à jour sur le plafonnement des cotisations

  • La limite de 4 000 dollars sur les cotisations de base et de travail combinées sera supprimée en 2025, ce qui ne concerne que les membres qui gagnent plus de 169 000 dollars par an.

Les cotisations sont déductibles des impôts. Les membres seniors paient 50 % du montant de la cotisation de base.

Pourquoi cela est important pour les artistes-interprètes ?

Ces mises à jour permettent à l’ACTRA de continuer à défendre les intérêts des artistes-interprètes à tous les niveaux :

  • Des salaires équitables et de meilleures conditions de travail
  • Des protections plus fortes pour les droits des artistes-interprètes dans un secteur en évolution rapide
  • Des lieux de travail sûrs, équitables, respectueux et exempts de harcèlement
  • Un modèle de rémunération équitable qui valorise les contributions des artistes-interprètes
  • Une voix pour les histoires canadiennes à l’écran
  • Des protections contre la menace que représente l’IA pour nos moyens de subsistance.

Prochaines étapes : votre vote compte

Nous demandons aux membres de soutenir cette mise à jour afin de garantir la force et la stabilité de notre syndicat. Un vote par référendum constitutionnel pour les membres à part entière admissibles débutera le 6 mars 2025 à 12 h HE / 9 h PT et se terminera le 20 mars 2025 à 12 h HE / 9 h PT.

L’ACTRA diffusera des messages dans les médias sociaux, les courriels, des FAQ et des ressources supplémentaires pour s’assurer que tous les membres comprennent ce que cette mise à jour signifie et pourquoi elle est nécessaire.

C’est plus qu’une simple mise à jour, c’est une occasion pour les artistes-interprètes de l’ACTRA de s’unir et de protéger l’avenir de notre industrie.

Parlez-en à vos collègues membres. Restez informés. Partagez le message.

L’ACTRA doit être prête, maintenant plus que jamais. Pour le combat. Pour l’avenir.

ACTRA Magazine Fall 2024