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ACTRA TORONTO CALLS FOR STATUS OF ARTIST LAW IN ONTARIO For immediate release - Toronto , July 11, 2005 – In a presentation to the Ontario government’s Status of the Artist Subcommittee, ACTRA Toronto Performers called for immediate legislation that would recognize the unique contributions that artists make to our culture and provide artists with social and economic support and protections. “The impulse to make art is as fundamental to our species as is our need for food and shelter. Art and culture define us and our society, bring enjoyment to our lives and make sense of our world,” said Karl Pruner, President of ACTRA Toronto. “Artists are underpaid and lack even basic access to societal supports such as Employment Insurance and pensions,” he added. “When an artist has a good year, often the fruit of years of invested time and effort, the government then taxes that artist as if they earned that income every year,” said Christie MacFadyen, Vice-President of ACTRA Toronto. “The province can do something about this right away by allowing artists to average their income over a number of years so they’ll be taxed more fairly,” she added. In its brief, ACTRA Toronto called on the subcommittee to address the welfare of child artists, income support for artists, the welfare of older artists, career transition issues, and urged further study on a legal framework around collective bargaining for artists. “The film and television industry is unique in that children work as performers, yet no legislation provides for their protection,” said Pruner. “Kids work in our industry, and when they work under ACTRA agreements, we require they get proper nutrition, we limit their work hours and we ensure they continue their education through tutoring while on set. Provincial law in this area would ensure all child performers are protected.” Performers at the end of even relatively successful careers in show business are often without pensions, without basic health benefits and without access to re-training that might ease their transition into other fields when work opportunities inevitably diminish as they age. “ Vibrant, healthy societies must support their artists and promote their ability to earn a living through their art. The Liberals promised they would enact Status of the Artist legislation in Ontario . It’s time they did so,” said Pruner. ACTRA Toronto Performers is the largest organization within ACTRA, representing more than 13,000 of Canada’s 21,000 professional performers working in the English-language recorded media in Canada. 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 professional performers. - 30 - For media inquiries contact: Carol Taverner, Public Relations Officer, ACTRA Toronto Performers, Dir: (416) 642-6751 ctaverner@actratoronto.com
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