The Professional Association of Canadian Talent and its affiliate the Canadian Media Guild have filed an application to the Canadian Artist and Producers Professional Relations Tribunal in Ottawa to recognize PACT/CMG as the bargaining agent for background performers in Canada….

Television series dominated this year’s Writers Guild of Canada Top Ten Awards for Excellence in Screenwriting, with feature films sneaking a bare look-in at the awards ceremony, held last week in Toronto….

Montreal: The Canadian Association of Broadcasters has asked the crtc to take steps to ensure class 1 broadcast distribution undertakings, including dth satellite distributors, comply with existing simultaneous substitution regulations for u.s. superstations….

* With more than 30 years in broadcasting behind him – and almost seven at Alliance Atlantis Communications – Juris Silkans is retiring from aac April 30. Currently president of AAC New Media, Silkans joined the company in 1993 as president…

Vancouver: Marketing- and networking-minded producers in b.c. are being asked by British Columbia Film to apply to its new Passport to Markets program, which offers financial assistance to expose local filmmakers to the international marketplace….

Sextant Entertainment Group of Vancouver is selling a us$19 million ($27.8 million) private placement for marketing, acquisitions and working capital purposes….

Montreal: Like the never-say-die disco lyric – Upside down and inside out – Cinar Entertainment continues to defy the odds with an impressive slate of new and returning shows….

Vancouver: Once again taking advantage of the Hong Kong/ Canada coproduction treaty, producers Michael Parker and Shan Tam (Holiday Pictures) begin work on Lunch with Charles May 12 for a 25-day shoot….

From Ottawa-based MTR Entertainment, the makers of The Tom Green Show and Buzz (The Comedy Network), comes another outrageous series, Celebrity Pets, hosted by – ready for this one? – Marlen Cowpland and her Maltese, Bunny….

In 1969, a recent university graduate went to Winnipeg City Hall looking for a summer job to fund her trip to Europe. The path she started on that day led Phyllis Yaffe to a distinguished career focused on Canadian cultural entities…

1969 to 1971 Librarian, Winnipeg Public Library…

Even one who is so clearly a hero to others has those who mentored her. Who stands out in Phyllis Yaffe’s mind as mentor figures?…