TORONTO – The Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) has named Gerry Barr as its new CEO and national executive director. He will assume the post in August 2011.
Barr’s wide-ranging career has included labour organization and negotiations for the Steelworkers’ Union, as well as the creation of its Steelworkers Humanity Fund. Since 2000, has held the role of president and CEO of the Canadian Council for International Cooperation, a coalition of approximately 100 not-for-profit organizations working on international development co-operation and humanitarian response.
“We’re thrilled to have somebody of Gerry’s stature and integrity take the helm of the Directors Guild of Canada,” said Sturla Gunnarsson, DGC national president, in Wednesday’s announcement. “His commitment to organized labour and values-based advocacy, and his impressive Ottawa track record are a perfect fit for the DGC.”
The DGC is a national labour organization representing over 3,800 key creative and logistical personnel in the film and television industry covering all areas of direction, design, production and editing. The organization negotiates and administers collective agreements and lobbies on issues of concern for members including Canadian content conditions, CRTC regulations and funding for Canadian film and television programming.
