Recently in your Voices section (Playback, Sept. 17, p. 8) service producer Howard Rosen complained that ACTRA’s non-Canadian performer permit requirements, with respect to foreign productions shooting in this country, will lead to doom for our entire Canadian industry.

Such unfortunate rhetoric deserves a response.

ACTRA does not interfere with the perceived need for marquee names that assist in the financing and packaging of non-Canadian films and television shows. We also do not accept that non-Canadian productions should arrive in Canada fully cast while taking advantage of our generous tax benefits and low Canadian dollar. Canada possesses a pool of professional performing talent second to none in the world. If ACTRA didn’t insist that non-Canadian producers audition and use Canadian performers in significant roles in their productions, then Canada’s professional performers would only be employed in small and incidental acting and background roles. Ultimately, the Canadian performing talent pool, if neglected, will become further frustrated by marginalization and neglect and eventually will decide to either leave the country or the profession.

Though there may be dozens of productions shooting in Canada on any given day, the average ACTRA member still makes less than $8,000 a year from their craft. So long as foreign productions are shooting here, service producers, crew members, suppliers, and ancillary industries significantly benefit. The same is not true for Canadian performers when foreign productions insist on bringing in their own talent to perform not only all the leading roles, but also many of the supporting roles as well.

ACTRA’s goals are just and far-reaching. We assist in building a strong, indigenous industry, recognizing that a strong industry must include a valuable roster of Canadian professional performers. The long-term survival of Canada’s entertainment industry depends on the ability of all significant sectors of our industry working at their craft – especially if the dollar and tax advantages for non-Canadian projects are reduced or disappear. We are all aware of the U.S. initiatives to propose implementation of U.S. tax incentives to match, and potentially negate Canada’s own incentives.

One hopes that Mr. Rosen understands the need for Canadian performers to work at their craft in order to ensure the continuation of a large and viable professional performing talent pool in this country. Canada’s professional performers are one of this country’s great natural resources. Do not squander the present and future maintenance and growth of the Canadian industry by ignoring or marginalizing Canadian professional performers in the short-term rush to grab U.S. dollars.

STEPHEN WADDELL,

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,

ACTRA, TORONTO