Canadian actors ratified a new collective agreement with the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) and the Association québécoise de la production médiatique (AQPM).

The three-year Independent Production Agreement (IPA) – which covers terms, conditions and rates for performers in English-language film, TV and digital media production –  provides a 3% annual general fee increase in each of the three years of the 2022-2024 agreement – totalling 9.27% with compounded general fee increase. It will take effect on Jan. 1.

Performers in British Columbia are excluded, as they ratified a separate three-year deal in April.

The new agreement covering 27,000 members of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) features stronger protections governing child performers and better measures for scenes involving nudity, according to a statement from ACTRA. It addresses concerns relating to auditions, including virtual and self-taped auditions, and additional temporary COVID-19 provisions “with respect to costs and compensation for time spent undergoing testing.”

Additionally, it “strengthens protection of human rights and diversity, equity, inclusion” and features “belonging language.”

“I wish to thank our members for their support and for ratifying the new agreement,” said Marie Kelly, ACTRA lead negotiator and national executive director. “We negotiated a  forward-thinking agreement that is one of the best performer contracts in North America. The important gains we made in certain fundamental areas will positively impact the working lives of our members.”