ACTRA has given the go-ahead for its actors to work in u.s. commercials during the strike by sag and aftra against the u.s. producers of radio and television commercials. The strike has been in effect since May 1.

On June 14, independent mediator Paula Knoph decided that in Canada, until a new commercial contract is negotiated, the conditions of the expired sag/aftra contract will apply. Also, it was announced that the sag interim agreement is not applicable to Canadian or American unionized actors working in Canada under the actra contract. This applies to spots made in Canada for exclusive broadcast in the u.s.

actra executive director Stephen Waddell called the decision ‘a setback in actra’s efforts to support sag and aftra.’ actra also made it clear that they will not condone sag actors working within Canada during the strike.