TORONTO – ACTRA and its recording artists’ collecting society, known as ACTRA RACS, have joined a coalition of Canadian writers, performers and songwriters aiming to draw government attention to the challenges facing cultural creators in the digital age.
The coalition, known as Focus On Creators, is seeking signatures on a call to action asking Canadian Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly to put creators at the centre of cultural policy decisions.
“ACTRA is proud to join other members of Canada’s creative class to ensure the government hears the voice of creators when it comes to federal policy,” said ACTRA National president David Sparrow, in a statement. “Whether they sing, write, compose or act, creative artists are facing real challenges in a digital age, and we need government to step up.”
“Our job at ACTRA RACS is to ensure recording artists are fairly compensated, that the value of their work is recognized,” added ACTRA RACS director Laurie McAllister. “Too many artists are living near the poverty line, we can’t let the government enact policies that leave our artists behind while enabling others to profit from their work.”
