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Welcome to ACTRA’s News You Can Use. Check back here for all of the latest news, tips, calls to action and advice to make your experience as a member even better!


August 21, 2023 – On Tuesday, August 22, ACTRA, the union representing performers who make commercials, will be demonstrating outside multiple Wendy’s Canada locations across the country to bring public attention to the ongoing labour boycott of union-busting brands. Wendy’s fast-food outlets are one of the major brands using an advertising agency that has locked out ACTRA members for more than 16 months.

“Wendy’s Canada is working with a union-busting advertising agency McCann who is directly damaging the wellbeing and livelihoods of thousands of ACTRA performers,” said ACTRA National President Eleanor Noble. “In an attempt to bust our union, for 16 months the ICA has shamefully refused to bargain fairly with ACTRA. We are urging consumers to take their business elsewhere.”

Wendy’s boycott rallies: Tuesday, August 22, 2023: 

MONTREAL, QC

WHAT:                       ACTRA Montreal rally in front of Wendy’s 

TIME:                         12pm – 2pm ET  

LOCATION:              Embargoed to accredited media

WHO:                         ACTRA members in attendance include ACTRA National President Eleanor Noble, ACTRA Montreal President Simon Peacock


TORONTO, ON
 (2 locations):

WHAT:                       ACTRA Toronto rallies in front of Wendy’s

TIME:                         12pm – 2pm ET  

LOCATION 1:           Embargoed to accredited media

LOCATION 2:           Embargoed to accredited media

WHO:                         ACTRA members in attendance include ACTRA Toronto President David Gale

VANCOUVER, BC

WHAT:                       UBCP/ACTRA rally in front of Wendy’s 

TIME:                         12pm – 2pm PT

LOCATION:              Embargoed to accredited media

WHO:                         ACTRA members in attendance include UBCP/ACTRA President Ellie Harvie


Since April 26, 2022 the Institute of Canadian Agencies (ICA) and their ad agencies locked out ACTRA performers and have failed to bargain fairly. Click here for more information on our lockout and boycott of union busting brands.

The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists is the union representing commercial performers in Canada. The National Commercial Agreement (NCA) is the collective agreement that preserves minimum rights and protections for ACTRA performers in the commercial industry. For 60 years the NCA has guaranteed fair working conditions, benefits and competitive pay for on-and off-camera performers in commercial productions in Canada. 

To schedule an interview contact:


Anna Sikorski, ACTRA Montreal: asikorski@actra.ca;

Jennifer McGibbon, ACTRA Toronto: jmcgibbon@actratoronto.com;

Max Bygraves, UBCP/ACTRA: communications@ubcpactra.ca;

Tony Walsh, ACTRA National: twalsh@actra.ca;

Publicis Toronto, which represents major clients, has signed a Letter of Continuance and will return to producing union commercials using ACTRA performers under the terms and conditions of the 2024-2025 National Commercial Agreement.
The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) congratulates SAG-AFTRA for reaching a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) after a 118-day long strike.
ACTRA members, The following is an update from the AFC to members in their October Newsletter: October 2023 We're putting a temporary pause on accepting new applications for our Emergency Financial Aid Program.