ACTRA will be updating this page regularly with information related to the COVID-19 health crisis as it becomes available. Please check back frequently for updates.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Dear ACTRA members,
In this challenging and unprecedented time, it is important that our ACTRA family takes care of each other. ACTRA members are some of the most thoughtful, compassionate and creative people I know. We will get through this. So please take care of yourselves and your families and stay healthy. Read more…
ACTRA NATIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION
ACTRA remains at work servicing the needs of our members across the country and staff can be reached through their e-mail, voicemail or our general enquiry line at 416-489-1311 or e-mail at actra@actra.ca.
HEALTH INFORMATION SOURCES
Government of Canada: COVID-19 Information
Tips for coping with the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak
GOVERNMENT INCOME SUPPORT
On April 1, 2020, the Government of Canada unveiled the application details for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit being offered as part of the Government’s COVID-19 economic response package. We will continue monitor this information and update this webpage with any additional information as it becomes available.
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) supports Canadians by providing urgently needed financial support to employed and self-employed Canadians who have been directly affected by COVID-19. It provides a payment of $2,000 for a 4 week period (equivalent to $500 a week) for up to 16 weeks.
Who can apply
The CERB will be available to workers:
- residing in Canada, who are at least 15 years old;
- who have stopped working because of COVID-19 or are eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits;
- who had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application; and
- who are or expect to be without employment or self-employment income for at least 14 consecutive days in the initial four-week period.
The income of at least $5,000 may be from any or a combination of the following sources: employment; self-employment; maternity and parental benefits under the Employment Insurance program and/or similar benefits paid in Quebec under the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan.
The Benefit is only available to individuals who stopped work and are not earning employment or self-employment income as a result of reasons related to COVID-19. If you have not stopped working because of COVID-19, you are not eligible for the Benefit.
If you are eligible for the CERB, you can expect $2,000 ($500 per week) for a 4-week period. It is a single payment for a 4-week period. If your situation continues, you can re-apply for a payment for multiple 4-week periods, to a maximum of 16 weeks (4 periods).
How to apply
Applications for the CERB will begin the week of Monday, April 6, 2020.
There are two ways to apply:
- Online with CRA My Account
- Over the phone with an automated phone service
Although you can’t apply yet, to ensure your application will be processed as easily and quickly as possible, the Government recommends you get ready now by completing a few steps, such as creating a CRA account or registering for direct deposit, in advance of submitting your application online or by phone. Follow these step-by-step instructions by clicking here.
Start to apply (ready April 6)
Information about what to expect when you start your application, including the information you will need to provide, can be found here.
To help manage the processing of claims, the Government of Canada is asking you to follow these application guidelines:
| If you were born in the month of
January, February or March
April, May, or June
July, August, or September
October, November, or December
Any month |
Apply for CERB on
L
Mondays
Tuesdays
Wednesdays
Thursdays
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays |
Your best day to apply
April 6
April 7
April 8
April 9 |
After you apply
Information about what to expect after you apply, including how to get paid and when you can expect payment, can be found here.
***
Additional benefits announced as part of the Government’s COVID-19 economic response package include:
Canada Child Benefit
The Government of Canada is providing an extra $300 per child through the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) for 2019-20. This will mean approximately $550 more for the average family. This benefit will be delivered as part of the scheduled CCB payment in May. Those who already receive the Canada Child Benefit do not need to re-apply. If you would like to apply for the Canada Child Benefit, please click here.
Special Goods and Services Tax credit payment
The Government of Canada is providing a one-time special payment by early May through the Goods and Services Tax credit for low- and modest-income families. The average additional benefit will be close to $400 for single individuals and close to $600 for couples. There is no need to apply for this payment. If you are eligible, you will get it automatically.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Is ACTRA open?
Yes, ACTRA remains at work servicing the needs of our members across the country. ACTRA staff are working remotely and continue to respond to phone calls or e-mails from members to support them through this difficult time.
2. Will I be paid if I had work cancelled?
Our various agreements contain language as it applies to the cancellation of work or rescheduling of days. If you have had work cancelled during this time, we ask that you contact your local ACTRA branch so we may address each situation on a case-by-case basis, per the terms of the appropriate agreement.
3. Are projects still in production?
While the majority of TV and film projects have temporarily shut down or wrapped their seasons early, other projects continue to operate. Voice work, while impacted, appears to be affected to a lesser degree by the current situation.
4. Is it safe to go to work?
Given the current situation, ACTRA has advised all productions to adopt increased hygiene standards to ensure the health and safety of every person in all work environments, be it at an audition, on set or in studio. When working, feel free to verify that these standards are being maintained, and if you have any concerns, contact your Business Rep immediately. And remember – at no time are you expected to continue working in an environment if you feel your health and safety are at risk! Click here to download a copy of ACTRA’s advisory.
5. Am I eligible for the Federal COVID-19 Emergency Response Package?
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit will be available to workers:
- residing in Canada, who are at least 15 years old;
- who have stopped working because of COVID-19 or are eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits;
- who had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application; and
- who are or expect to be without employment or self-employment income for at least 14 consecutive days in the initial four-week period.
The income of at least $5,000 may be from any or a combination of the following sources: employment; self-employment; maternity and parental benefits under the Employment Insurance program and/or similar benefits paid in Quebec under the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan.
The Benefit is only available to individuals who stopped work and are not earning employment or self-employment income as a result of reasons related to COVID-19. If you have not stopped working because of COVID-19, you are not eligible for the Benefit.
Click here for more information about how to apply. Please also check your eligibility for similar Emergency Packages available through your provincial government.
MEMBER RESOURCES
Actsafe
AFBS
The AFC
Broadbent Institute
Canada Council for the Arts
Canada Performers (National Arts Centre)
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre – COVID-19 Fraud
Canadian Artist + Musician Relief Fund
Canadian Labour Congress
Canadian Mental Health Association
CASCU
COVID-19 Black Emergency Support Fund
Cultural Human Resources Council (CHRC)
Emergency Survival Fund for LGBTQ2S artists, performers, tip-based workers and Glad Day
Ending Violence Association of Canada
HAVEN Helpline
MBT
Toronto & York Region Labour Council
ACTRA Toronto Virtual Town Hall: ACTRA National President David Sparrow, ACTRA Toronto President/National Treasurer Theresa Tova, AFBS CEO Bob Underwood and Chair Ferne Downey, and The AFC’s David Hope share resources and outline the steps we’re taking to support our members and our production community through COVID-19 pandemic in this virtual Town Hall held on March 26. Thank you to ACTRA Toronto for organizing this Town Hall for members.
2020 MEMBER DUES
We appreciate these are difficult times for you and your family. With the rise of coronavirus cases around the world, we understand this has created growing health and safety concerns as well as a lot of uncertainty.
We understand our members are faced with many considerations in their personal and professional lives.
To help alleviate some of the stress, ACTRA has made the decision to postpone our regular processing schedule for dues invoicing as follows:
For all ACTRA Full (excluding UBCP/ACTRA members), 2020 dues invoices will be sent in mid-April instead of in mid-March. As a result of the postponement in dues invoicing, ACTRA will also extend the dues payment deadline from April 30, 2020, to May 31, 2020. Invoices for Apprentice and Background Members will continue to be sent on a monthly basis. The due dates for payment will be extended during this time.
For UBCP/ACTRA Members who are currently in the middle of your dues period. UBCP/ACTRA has decided to suspend the collection of basic annual dues and to push the deadline to a future date when the industry is up and running again. For those who have already paid, you will be refunded your basic annual dues. You will receive your dues refund by cheque as soon as UBCP/ACTRA is able to do so. Please be sure your mailing address is up to date with UBCP/ACTRA. You can update your information here or by emailing membership@ubcp.com. Please note, it may take some time to process the cheques.
MEMBER E-BLASTS
ACTRA BRANCH COVID-19 UPDATES
ACTRA Alberta
ACTRA Manitoba
ACTRA Montreal
ACTRA Newfoundland/Labrador
ACTRA Ottawa
ACTRA Toronto
UBCP/ACTRA
SAFETY ON SET RESOURCES
Download these tips on best practices productions can adopt during the COVID-19 health crisis. As conditions on each set or workplace vary, members should contact their ACTRA Branch directly with any questions.
2020 ACTRA Day in L.A.
Given current challenges and the closure of the U.S.-Canada border, the Beverly Hilton Hotel has cancelled all scheduled events for the month of April, including our 2020 ACTRA Day in L.A.
ACTRA is hopeful we can reschedule this great event to honour our 2020 Award of Excellence recipient Catherine O’Hara. Please keep an eye on actraevents.ca and our social media platforms for future updates.
