Who We Are

Canadian Actors’ Equity Association (Equity) is the voice of nearly 6,000 professional artists working in theatre, opera, and dance across Canada. Equity’s national membership includes performers, directors, choreographers, fight directors, intimacy directors, and stage managers.

We are a member-driven association that empowers artists by advancing their professional, artistic, and economic interests in the live performance sector. In pursuing our objectives, we demonstrate and advocate for fairness, inclusivity, integrity, and collectivity.

A national Council of 23 Equity members from across Canada, representing different regions and artistic disciplines, form the Association’s leadership and determine Equity’s objectives.

Why Equity?

“All artists need support to pursue their work and make the most of their creative skill—that is our Association’s very aim.”

— Scott Bellis, Equity Council President

A life in performing arts is an exciting and precarious adventure. The thrill of an audience, the rough magic of creating a new performance, the camaraderie of a company of artists working together – there’s nothing like it. When we are invited into a space to exercise our artistic skills and talents, it’s the best feeling in the world.

But all artists need support to pursue their work and make the most of their creative skills. That is our Association’s very aim: to ensure that when you enter a workplace as a creator, there are standards in place to ensure your safety and your success. When I first joined Equity as a young actor, I had little idea of the benefits provided to artists in the live performance sector. Over the (many!) years since, I have come to know and appreciate how important this Association is to the working lives of its members.

Whether it be pursuing fair pay, respectful workplaces, or advocacy for the live arts sector, Equity stands tall for its members – 6,000 strong, from coast to coast. It is a vibrant and diverse community of artists.

Equity stands for many things, but above all it stands for respect: for our skill, our dedication, and our collective contribution as artists to the social and cultural fabric of Canada. Join us!

Our Objectives

Ensuring Fair Wages & Working Conditions

Equity is responsible for negotiating and administering collective agreements for work in dance, opera, and theatre – ensuring artists are paid fairly, and their rights are respected. Equity also establishes engagement policies that encourage the development of independent production and make it easy for members to participate in small-scale projects.

Learn more about our Agreements & Policies

Protecting Artists in the Workplace

Equity has a responsibility to keep artists working in live performance safe. This is accomplished through enforcing the terms of our agreements as well by creating anti-harassment and respectful workplace initiatives, such as our Not in Our Space! program.

Learn more about our Safe & Respectful Workplace initiatives

Advocacy

Whether lobbying for sustainable funding in the not-for-profit live performance sector or encouraging public policy initiatives that promote artistic activities, Equity’s advocacy efforts focus on creating work opportunities for members and ensuring the needs and realities of artists working in live performance are always considered by the Canadian government.

Learn more about our advocacy efforts and the Creative Industries Coalition

Providing Member Benefits

Equity has an additional responsibility to support our members’ artistic and economic interests as they pursue a career in the arts. We do this by providing access to RRSP and insurance benefits, reciprocal agreements, professional development, discounts through our Members’ Advantage Program, community events, communication, and more.

Learn more about the benefits of being a member

Governance