Toronto: ACTRA vote to raise dues
"From the pandemic’s impact on productions to the devastating commercial lockout, from two major U.S. labour disruptions to ongoing legal battles—all while Canada’s cultural sector faces increasing challenges—we have held the line. We have fought back. And we will continue to fight.
- A carefully considered adjustment to basic annual dues, moving from $195 to $225 in 2025, and then to $250 in 2026 and beyond—ensuring ACTRA has the resources to keep fighting for performers.
- A small increase to working dues, shifting from 2.25% to 2.5% of gross earnings starting in 2026—giving members time to prepare while ensuring ACTRA remains strong.
- An update to the dues cap, removing the previous $4,000 limit on combined basic and working dues as of 2025. This change affects only those members who earn over $169,000 per year, ensuring ACTRA remains fair and equitable while continuing to serve all performers."
Are we not still in a commercial lockout? It's been almost 3 years since we've had access to ICA work, right? I mean, look, I get that the union needs money to function, and ya, they haven't raised dues in almost 20 years, but maybe if they settled the lockout situation and opened up more avenues of income for us, it would be less of a bitter pill to swallow. Maybe feeling bitter is just my knee-jerk reaction to everything becoming less affordable.
What are your thoughts?