FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 10, 2006

ARTISTS ARE WORKERS TOO
Canadian stars call for action on Status of the Artist in Ontario

Toronto – Canada’s best-known stars are meeting with Ontario politicians to call on them to take action for artists. “In the 2003 election, the Liberals promised to take action on Status of the Artist,” said Karl Pruner, President of ACTRA Toronto. “Time is running out on this government’s mandate. We’re here to urge Ministers, party leaders and MPPs to turn words into action.”

“The truth of the matter is that at long last, hundreds of millions of dollars are being invested today into our province’s cultural institutions,” said Sonja Smits. “It’s time to do something for the artists and performers who light up those buildings.”

“No one is more vulnerable than a child who works in the performing arts,” said Smits. “We’re here to ask Premier McGuinty and the Provincial Legislature to move forward with a Status of the Artist initiative before the next election that protects children in the arts.”

“Artists are among the lowest-paid workers in our society. Most don’t have a pension plan and far, far too many artists end up retiring into lives of poverty,” said Fiona Reid. “The Government of Ontario can make it easier for older artists by building on successful, affordable housing initiatives for older artists.”

“Actors’ incomes fluctuate wildly from year to year,” said Colin Mochrie. “If an artist gets that one good year that they might live off for years, the tax system thinks they make that kind of money every year, and taxes accordingly. Income averaging would be a fairer way to tax artists’ incomes.”

ACTRA members meeting with politicians to call for Status of the Artist legislation include Ms. Smits, Ms. Reid, Mr. Mochrie, Mr. Pruner, Sarah Barrable-Tishauer (Degrassi: The Next Generation), Lorne Cardinal (Corner Gas), Art Hindle (Canadian Case Files), Jessica Holmes (Royal Canadian Air Farce), Ron Lea (This Is Wonderland), Debra McGrath (Getting Along Famously), Wayne Robson (The Red Green Show), Cassie Steele (Degrassi: The Next Generation), Julie Stewart (Cold Squad) and Tonya Lee Williams (The Young and the Restless).

ACTRA Toronto is calling on the government to introduce Status of the Artist legislation to address the unique nature of how artists work covering areas such as protection for child performers, career transition and training, income averaging and dignity for older artists.

ACTRA Toronto Performers is the largest organization within ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists), with more than 13,000 members. As an advocate for Canadian culture since 1943, ACTRA is a member-driven organization that continues to secure the rights and respect for the work of Canada’s English-speaking professional performers in recorded media.

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For media inquiries please contact:

Carol Taverner, Public Relations Officer, ACTRA Toronto Performers

Dir: (416) 642-6751 - ctaverner@actratoronto.com

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Pour obtenir des renseignements supplémentaires, veuillez communiquer avec :
Carol Taverner, relationniste
(416) 642-6751 ou 1 877 913-2278, poste 6751 ctaverner@actratoronto.com