Screenwriter Jill Golick is the new president of the Writers Guild of Canada, stepping in for a two-year term following the departure of Rebecca Schechter.

Golick — a founding member of the guild whose credits include Blue Murder, Instant Star and Zoboomafoo — was elected by the WGC council, on which she has served, off and on, since 1994.

She is credited with helping to improve working conditions for writers, especially those in animation, and played a key role in negotiations that brought animation scribes under the guild’s collective agreement. She also participated in the launch of the group’s annual Screenwriting Awards.

‘Jill has long been a passionate advocate for screenwriters,’ said WGC executive director Maureen Parker in a release. ‘It’s a challenging time for Canadian screenwriters, and the guild will need Jill’s boundless creativity and energy.’

Golick says encouraging screenwriters to consider the potential of digital platforms will be among her initiatives as president.

Showrunner Andrew Wreggitt takes over as vice-president, and writer/showrunner Charles Lazer as treasurer.