ACTRA

ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) is the national union representing performers working in English-language recorded media in Canada. It covers film, television, radio, digital media, and voice work across the country.

Membership is available to performers who have been engaged for work under an ACTRA agreement. ACTRA has branches across Canada, each serving specific regions. The union negotiates minimum rates, working conditions, and residual payments for Canadian productions.

For American actors working on Canadian co-productions or filming in Canadian cities like Vancouver and Toronto, understanding ACTRA's jurisdiction is important. SAG-AFTRA and ACTRA have reciprocal agreements that facilitate cross-border work.

Initiation fees and dues vary by branch. Contact your nearest ACTRA branch for specific pricing. The union also maintains a performers' rights fund and provides members with access to insurance and pension benefits.

ACTRA membership is essential for actors pursuing careers in Canadian entertainment. Given the volume of productions filming in Canada, understanding ACTRA is valuable even for US-based actors who may work north of the border. Canada has become one of the world's largest production hubs, with Vancouver and Toronto ranking among the busiest filming cities globally — major US studios regularly produce television series, feature films, and streaming content in Canadian cities, creating significant demand for local ACTRA-covered performers. The union's reciprocal agreement with SAG-AFTRA means that members of either union can work on productions covered by the other union without paying additional initiation fees, though they must register as permit workers and comply with the host union's regulations. For American actors considering relocating to or regularly working in Canada, understanding ACTRA's structure is essential for accessing the full range of production opportunities available in the Canadian market.

ACTRA's fee structure varies by branch, reflecting the regional nature of the Canadian entertainment industry. As of 2025, the ACTRA Toronto branch charges an initiation fee of approximately $2,800 CAD with annual dues of approximately $165 CAD, while the ACTRA branch in British Columbia (UBCP/ACTRA) has an initiation fee of approximately $2,600 CAD with similar annual dues. Other branches, including those in Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the Maritimes, have their own fee schedules that are generally comparable. Dues are typically calculated as a base amount plus a percentage of ACTRA-covered earnings. ACTRA negotiates minimum rates that vary by production type — as of 2025, the minimum daily rate for a principal performer on a feature film under the Independent Production Agreement (IPA) is approximately $1,148 CAD, with series regular rates and long-form production rates varying by budget tier. The union also secures residual payments for members when productions are distributed in secondary markets.

Canadian performers who work or aspire to work in English-language film, television, or digital media should pursue ACTRA membership as soon as they qualify, as the union's negotiated minimum rates, residual payments, and benefits represent significant value that non-union work cannot match. American actors who regularly work on productions filming in Canada should familiarize themselves with the SAG-AFTRA/ACTRA reciprocal agreement to ensure they are properly registered and receiving all applicable protections and compensation. If you are an emerging performer in a smaller Canadian market, consider whether relocating to Toronto or Vancouver would provide access to more ACTRA-covered opportunities, while also recognizing that the growing number of productions filming in cities like Calgary, Winnipeg, and Halifax is expanding options outside the traditional centers. For performers interested in French-language work in Quebec, research the Union des artistes (UDA) instead, as ACTRA does not cover French-language production.

Research the specific ACTRA branch that covers your primary work location and attend their orientation session and new member events, as each branch has local customs, networking opportunities, and resources that can significantly impact your career development. Take advantage of ACTRA's professional development workshops, which cover topics including on-camera technique, self-tape skills, audition preparation, and business management for performers — these programs are often offered at reduced rates or free for members. Build relationships with Canadian casting directors, as the Canadian casting community is smaller and more accessible than its American counterpart, and strong relationships with CDs in your local market can lead to consistent opportunities on ACTRA-covered productions. If you hold dual ACTRA and SAG-AFTRA membership, work with a knowledgeable entertainment accountant to understand the tax implications of earning income in both countries and ensure you are properly contributing to both unions' pension and benefit plans. Stay informed about Canadian content policy and tax incentive developments, as these government programs directly affect the volume and types of productions filming in Canada and therefore the opportunities available to ACTRA members.