Canadian Screenwriters on the Brink: Strike Authorization Signals Critical Phase in Industry Negotiations

TORONTO, CANADA — Canadian screenwriters are poised on the edge of a historic labor action, as negotiations with the country’s indie film and television producers hang in the balance. The Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) has announced that an overwhelming 96.5 percent of its eligible members have voted in favor of authorizing a strike, marking a first in the guild’s 33-year history. This decisive move could lead to a work stoppage if the ongoing talks with the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) fail to produce a new Independent Production Agreement (IPA).

The strike authorization does not guarantee a strike will occur but empowers the WGC to initiate one if necessary. According to WGC executive director Victoria Shen, this vote "represents a pivotal moment for Canadian screenwriters," emphasizing their readiness to defend their interests. The key issues at stake in the negotiations include fair compensation, protections against the use of artificial intelligence in live action and animation projects, and minimum staffing levels in writers' rooms for domestic TV series.

Shen elaborated on the situation, stating, “While a strong strike mandate does not necessarily mean we will strike, it tells the producers we are ready to defend ourselves if necessary. We remain committed to negotiating a fair agreement for our members.”

These concerns echo similar issues that were central in last year’s negotiations between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which culminated in a prolonged strike in Hollywood before a new contract was finally established.

The current labor tension follows six months of negotiations over a new IPA, with no agreement in sight as the previous contract expired on December 31, 2023. CMPA’s vice president of national industrial relations and counsel, Sean Porter, expressed a commitment to resolving the disputes without resorting to a strike. “We believe a labor dispute would be extremely damaging to the domestic Canadian film and television production sector and we remain focused on successfully concluding negotiations,” Porter said.

As the Canadian screenwriting community stands united, the industry watches closely, with the potential for significant impacts on both domestic and international productions involving Canadian talent. No new dates have been set for the resumption of talks, leaving the industry in a state of uncertain anticipation.