THE CRTC ISSUED a decision ACTRA didn’t like and criticized it in a press release last week. CRTC chairman Jean-Pierre Blais didn’t much care for that press release and on Wednesday sent the actor’s union a letter saying so.
Now, today we have a letter sent back to the chair from ACTRA president Ferne Downey (right) defending its position.
In his letter to ACTRA yesterday, Blais defended how the Commission reached its decision on a new policy for Certified Independent Production Funds (CIPFs), noting that the public proceedings held over the past two years made for a robust record upon which it could base its decision and also noted that ACTRA chose to skip one hearing last October anyway.
That didn’t sit well with Downey. “At that time, our organization was in the midst of complex and delicate negotiations on our largest collective agreement. Those negotiations affected thousands of our members, their livelihoods and the health of our industry. They took much of our collective attention – a fact for which I won’t apologize,” she wrote.
“Other organizations representing the creative community did, however, give voice to the concerns shared by ACTRA. We assumed that their cogent arguments and evidence would be given careful consideration. We were wrong.”
Downey (and a number of others, notably the Writers Guild and the Directors Guild and their members, many of whom are making their feelings known on social media) say there should have been a more overt, direct public process before the CIPF rules were changed.
“Clearly, the CRTC needs to revisit this decision. It’s time for a new process – one that includes public hearings where the many Canadian performers, writers, composers, directors and creative talent who are the foundation of our industry can be heard,” Downey added.
“I look forward to your reply.”
While Blais may or may not reply, we would surely look for the actors, directors and writers to raise their concerns with Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly who is in the early stages of her review of everything Cancon related.
