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CFTPA AND APFTQ REACH AGREEMENT WITH WGC

The Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA) and The Association des Producteurs de Films et de Télévision du Québec (APFTQ) have reached a tentative agreement with The Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) on a new 2006-2008 Independent Production Agreement (IPA) after only 5 days of bargaining.

Highlights of the agreement include increases in the thresholds for low-budget feature film incentives, an increase on low-budget incentives for 30-minute documentary series, and most significantly, the ability to negotiate completely separately and apart from the minimums set out in the collective agreement on any production or episode of series with a budget under $60,000.

The monetary increases, the first in over four years, were extremely conservative. Increases apply to the script fee only, which were increased 1% on implementation, 2% on January 1, 2007 and 1% on January 1, 2008. There was no increase in the production fee, nor the percentage of distributor’s gross revenues payable to the writers. There was also a 1% increase to the writers’ health insurance plan consistent with increases granted to other unions in previous rounds of bargaining.

“The CFTPA is extremely proud of this deal as it recognizes the needs of its Canadian producers while at the same time fairly reflecting the financial constraints facing the Canadian film and television industry” says John Barrack, National Executive Vice-President and Counsel for the CFTPA. “Additionally, this agreement was jointly negotiated with the APFTQ, and will result in a single agreement from coast to coast with respect to film and television writing in the English language.”

This three-year deal will not be implemented until it is ratified and will expire on December 31, 2008.

The CFTPA is a non-profit, trade association representing almost 400 companies in the Canadian production industry. The association promotes the general interests of Canadian producers by working with government on policy matters, negotiating labour agreements, and offering mentorship programs and copyright initiatives.

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For more information on this, please contact:

Jeff Brinton
Director of Communications and Media
Canadian Film and Television Production Association