The Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) and the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) have reached a tentative agreement in negotiations for a new Independent Production Agreement (IPA), averting a possible strike in Canada.

The new agreement covers terms, conditions and rates for WGC writers, story editors and story consultants, according to a joint release issued by the WGC and the CMPA. Further details were not made available at press time.

The IPA will need to be ratified by the CMPA board of directors and WGC members before going into effect.

Negotiations for the new IPA began last October, with protections from artificial intelligence, increased compensation for animation writers and minimal participation of writers in production becoming core issues. The prior IPA expired on Dec. 31, 2023.

The majority of WGC members voted last month to authorize a strike in a bid to improve the guild’s bargaining position.

“We are pleased to have reached a fair agreement with the CMPA that will protect the livelihoods of our screenwriter members and maintain stability in the Canadian film and television industry,” said WGC executive director Victoria Shen in a statement. “We feel the new agreement includes important protections for Canadian screenwriters and balances the concerns of our producer partners.”

“We are proud to have come to terms on an agreement that truly values the important alliance that exists between Canadian screenwriters and independent producers,” added Sean Porter, VP of national industrial relations and counsel for the CMPA. “I want to thank the individuals on both sides of the bargaining table for their commitment to finding solutions that serve to benefit the future of our sector and Canadian storytelling on screen.”

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