brief to the Ontario government's Subcommittee on ... - ACTRA Toronto

purposes over a seven year period. 3 The Quebec model can certainly
be improved upon. In particular, ACTRA objects <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> application of
<strong>the</strong> tax exemption only <strong>to</strong> copyright income, since this provides no
relief for most of <strong>the</strong> income of performing artists in <strong>the</strong> film and
television industry. The Quebec initiative illustrates, however, that a
great deal can be done in this area at <strong>the</strong> provincial level.
(c) The Welfare of Older Artists
Because artists have been so poorly remunerated, many artists who have
contributed enormously and over many years <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> cultural life of this province
find <strong>the</strong>mselves facing poverty when old age or debilitating illness robs <strong>the</strong>m of
<strong>the</strong>ir ability <strong>to</strong> earn a living. Typically, artists do not earn enough <strong>to</strong> bank
significant credit in <strong>the</strong> Canada Pension Plan, and do not participate in employer
pension plans.
ACTRA, through <strong>the</strong> Actra Fraternal Benefit Society, administers individual
RRSP accounts for artists. ACTRA agreements require producers/engagers <strong>to</strong>
make RRSP contributions on behalf of engaged artists. Because of <strong>the</strong>ir low
earnings, however, ACTRA members do not as a rule have significant RRSP
contribution room. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, many artists are forced <strong>to</strong> collapse <strong>the</strong>ir plans
during periods of low or no earnings; in essence, <strong>the</strong>y are forced <strong>to</strong> use <strong>the</strong>ir
plans during <strong>the</strong>ir working lives as a form of income averaging. They lose both
accumulated savings and RRSP contribution room which cannot be recovered.
RRSP savings are <strong>the</strong>refore often not available <strong>to</strong> artists <strong>to</strong> fund <strong>the</strong>ir
retirements.
Artists typically cannot afford <strong>to</strong> own <strong>the</strong>ir own homes. They have a pressing
need for retirement housing tailored <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir unique circumstances. Toron<strong>to</strong> arts
unions, including ACTRA Toron<strong>to</strong> Performers, have funded <strong>the</strong> Performing Arts
Lodges of Canada (PAL) <strong>to</strong> provide housing for older artists who are not able <strong>to</strong>
work any longer, and are in financial need. More assistance is needed <strong>to</strong> provide
affordable housing tailored <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> needs of older artists.
We urge <strong>the</strong> committee <strong>to</strong> support <strong>the</strong> following measures of benefit <strong>to</strong> older
artists:
• a statement of legislative principle that <strong>Ontario</strong> recognizes <strong>the</strong>
contribution of older artists <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> cultural life of our province and
our communities;
• income support measures for artists throughout <strong>the</strong>ir working lives,
such as those recommended in this <strong>brief</strong>, in order <strong>to</strong> alleviate
poverty in old age; and
3 The Quebec provisions, which are very detailed, are more fully explained in Appendix B.
ACTRA Toron<strong>to</strong> Performers
Brief <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Status of <strong>the</strong> Artist <strong>Subcommittee</strong> 8