Echoing sentiments heard earlier this year from actors, the Writers Guild of Canada says an atmosphere of co-operation, in light of ‘uncertainty’ in the industry, has led to a new two-year deal with film and TV producers.

The tentative terms for the new Independent Production Agreement — revealed Tuesday by the WGC, CFTPA and the APFTQ — grant writers a 2% increase across the board on the minimum script fee.

‘In this economic climate, a script fee increase is good news for screenwriters, and these increases will be especially beneficial for writers working in development,’ said WGC president Rebecca Schechter in a statement.

She added that the shorter term ‘reflects our optimism that conditions will improve’ after the upheaval of the upcoming CRTC hearings and the debut of the Canada Media Fund.

The deal will bring ‘added stability to the production sector,’ added CFTPA negotiator John Barrack. The English-language producers association sounded a similar note in the spring, upon signing its new IPA with ACTRA, which also included a 2% pay hike.

The WGC, CFTPA and Quebec producers of the APFTQ are said to have come to the bargaining table with a short list of issues, setting aside others for the time being.

Writers working in animation, for instance, will continue to go without minimum fees. That issue has been put off for the duration of the new contract, during which time a working group, with reps from all three sides, will continue talks. (Know more? Email us!)

In terms of new media, no changes have been made to the new agreement. The WGC supplies guidelines for writers looking to negotiate digital rights with producers.

It was the first time that the WGC and producers sat down for negotiations since 2005. Last year, writers opted to extend their labor deal with the CFTPA until the end of this year, to wait out licence renewals at CTV and Global. Upon ratification, the new deal will take effect Jan. 1, 2010.

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This story has been corrected. The WGC negotiates with Quebec producers and not French-language producers as previously indicated.