The Canadian Film and Television Production Association has nearly 400 company members across the country, including independent producers, broadcaster-affiliate prodcos and producers of interactive media.

The CFTPA is active in assisting the industry in its public financing agenda, specifically, in lobbying for improvements to the service and content tax credits. ‘We have an Ontario producers panel and we’re involved in helping them achieve some changes to the Ontario tax credit,’ says CFTPA president and CEO Elizabeth McDonald.

The association authors regulatory and policy interventions on behalf of members on a wide range of issues, including conditions of licence, interactive TV, and a strong opposition to the recent Bell ExpressVu/Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ application to divert some of the BDUs’ contribution to the CTF.

The CFTPA is also preoccupied with emerging and digital rights management issues, and copyright issues, such as Internet retransmission and the anti-piracy campaign.

The association manages a major national mentorship program that benefits more than 100 candidates every year.

‘And while we have seed money from our [public and private-sector] partners, the contribution from our members is enormous,’ says McDonald.

Other primary CFTPA programs include the annual Primetime in Ottawa conference and production of the CFTPA Guide, now available online.

The CFTPA currently negotiates nine collective agreements. Only the Writers Guild of Canada agreement is fully national, while other agreements vary from province to province but are still handled by the CFTPA.

The association also negotiates with NABET Local 700 CEP, ACFC West, the B.C. and Yukon Council of Film Unions and the Union of B.C. Performers.

Currently, the CFTPA is in various stages of renewal negotiations, covering national and regional mandates with the WGC, Directors Guild of Canada and ACTRA, and is exploring issues with IATSE. The Independent Production Agreement between the CFTPA/APFTQ and WGC and ACTRA is valid until Dec. 31, and covers all performers across Canada except for B.C.

-www.cftpa.ca