The Writers Guild of Canada (WGC), which represents 2,500 English-language screenwriters across Canada, announced Wednesday its members have ratified a new three-year independent production agreement (IPA) with the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA).
The WGC and the CMPA earlier this month announced they had agreed on terms for the new IPA, but it still needed ratification by WGC members.
Coming into effect May 22, the new collective agreement sets the terms, conditions, and rates for writers, story editors and story consultants until Jan. 31, 2027.
“As part of the newly ratified agreement, live action script fees will increase by 5 per cent, 4 per cent, and 3.5 per cent over the next three years. Animation script fees will increase by 5 per cent, 11.5 per cent, and 3.6 per cent over the same period,” says a WGC press release.
Also negotiated was a minimum staffing provision, requiring two story editors to be engaged during the bulk of principal photography on productions starting on or after Jan. 1, 2025, for one-hour productions with budgets over $2.5 million per episode and half-hour productions with budgets over $1.5 million per episode.
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) protections were also negotiated, requiring producers to disclose and contract under the IPA when providing writers with AI-generated materials, as well as no reduction in existing writer credit or compensation,” the release says.
Expanded protections against discrimination and harassment in the workplace were also negotiated, it adds.
“We are pleased to have negotiated meaningful protections and fee increases for our members,” Victoria Shen, WGC executive director, said in a statement. “These achievements would not have been possible without the solidarity demonstrated by our membership. Special thanks to the Negotiating Committee, who volunteered months of their time, passionately represented the interests of screenwriters, and stood their ground to reach this deal.”
In April, WGC members voted in favour of authorizing strike action if a new agreement with the CMPA could not be reached. They had been working without a new contract since Dec. 31, 2023.
“Bargaining this agreement was extremely challenging but it has resulted in a more united and engaged membership,” said Bruce Smith, president of the WGC. “Our work will continue on many fronts, including fighting for equal compensation and protections for animation writers, advocating for a better funding system to address the needs of feature film writers, and ensuring our industry can flourish.”
