Canadian writers’ strike avoided as WGC & CMPA reach agreement

Victoria Shen (Source: WGC)

A Canadian writers’ strike has been averted, with the Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) and the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) agreeing terms for a new three-year Independent Production Agreement (IPA).

The two organisations released a joint statement announcing that they have successfully concluded negotiations and reached an agreement in principle, with specific details to follow. The agreement follows a WGC vote last month that was overwhelmingly in favour of authorising strike action.

Canadian writers have been seeking protections against the use of AI increased, agreements around securing minimum staffing on productions and increased pay, particular for those in the animation industry.

“We feel the new agreement includes important protections for Canadian screenwriters and balances the concerns of our producer partners,” ,” said Victoria Shen, WGC executive director, in the statement.

“We are proud to have come to terms on an agreement that truly values the important alliance that exists between Canadian screenwriters and independent producers,” said Sean Porter, the CMPA’s VP of national industrial relations and counsel.