Last year there was a strike in Hollywood, now it’s Canada.
The Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) has voted “overwhelmingly” to authorize strike action if there is no resolution to ongoing talks with the Canadian Media Producers Association.
Approximately 96.5% voted in favor of a strike mandate, with the week-long election period also representing the highest turnout in WGC history with 70.2% of eligible voters voting.
“This strike authorization vote, a first in the guild’s 33-year history, represents a pivotal moment for Canadian screenwriters,” said WGC Executive Director Victoria Shen. “It underscores our members’ commitment to fair compensation and meaningful AI protection in an ever-evolving industry.
“While a strict strike mandate does not necessarily mean we are going on strike, it shows producers that we are prepared to defend ourselves if necessary. We remain committed to negotiating a fair agreement for our members.”
In scenes reminiscent of the back-and-forth between the Writers Guild of America and AMPTP that led to a 148-day strike in the United States, the WGC and CMPA have been negotiating a new deal for months with no resolution. Information on the talks was limited due to an agreed media blackout, but it is understood that many of the same issues that have torn Hollywood apart are at the heart of current problems – think AI, compensation (particularly for animation writers) and minimum participation quotas. Notably, the CMPA does not represent the streamers and Canadian networks, so residuals are off the table.
The strike approval comes after almost six months of talks to renew the existing Independent Production Agreement (IPA). As we reported in January, fears of a strike have quietly grown as producers and writers struggled to find compromise on key financial and labor issues.
The previous IPA ended on December 31, 2023, but has since been extended in the hope of a new deal. There’s no one at the table at the moment, but the WGC – which represents 2,500 professional English-language Canadian screenwriters – said it is confirming dates “when all parties can return to the outstanding issues.”
“Our members understand what these negotiations are about, and I am proud of the strength of their support in this vote,” said Alex Levine, President of the WGC. “We cannot allow producers to devalue us and our work. We stand strong and together to ensure a future for Canadian screenwriters.”
Last year, during the two Hollywood writers and actors strike, the WGC called attention to the struggles of its own screenwriters in a submission to the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission. At the time, the guild said its Canadian members’ total incomes had fallen nearly 22%, adjusted for inflation, over the past five years.
Organizations such as the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists, the Directors Guild of Canada, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and the media technicians union NABET 700-M UNIFOR have supported the WGC in the negotiations.
Should a strike be declared, the government would be informed and the action would begin 15 days later.
We have reached out to the CMPA for comment.