Banff, AB: The industry’s latest umbrella group finally got a name and a mission statement, following a meeting of some 20 union and association heads at the Banff Television Festival. The Canadian Film & Television Industry Council – formed by groups including IATSE, CFTPA, ACTRA and the APFTQ – on June 14 formally unveiled its mandate to ‘address, with a single voice, national issues that affect the Canadian film and television industry.’

‘This was an amazing first, getting so many diverse interests and voices together in a common cause,’ said Patrick Whitley, Dufferin Gate president and chair of the new group. CFTIC represents roughly 70,000 workers and 500 production companies.

The group will work on four main issues: strengthening both the CRTC and the Canadian Television Fund, upping federal tax credits, and lobbying on behalf of public broadcasting.

Members have expressed frustration that cultural issues have gone largely unnoticed in the campaign for this month’s federal election. Lise Lareau, president of the Canadian Media Guild, criticized the ‘waffly language’ of the Liberals and Heritage Minister Helene Chalifour Scherrer. ‘They say they’ll ‘support’ the CBC. Well, what does that mean? She won’t say what the Liberals will do.’ CMG represents most CBC staff.