IATSE 3rd 2019_web

y IATSE, including a recommendation
that the federal government create educational
materials for consumers to raise
awareness of copyright provisions and
artist remuneration and a recommendation
that the federal government review
the safe arbor exceptions and laws to
ensure that internet service providers are
accountable for their role in the distribution
of content. In June 2019, the Ministry
of Innovation, Science, and Economic
Development released an interim report
summarizing the submissions and input
it had received from individuals and organizations,
much of which relates to
the promotion and support of Canadian
content. The final report is due in early
2020.
National Lobbying
In February 2019, IATSE members
from across the country joined over 350
other labour organization representatives
in a National Lobby Day organized by the
Canadian Labour Congress. IATSE attendees
engaged in lobbying efforts with
members of parliament on issues including
pension legislation reform as well as
national pharmacare.
Vice Presidents Lewis and Petti as
well as Representative Hurdon and others
continue to work regularly with IATSE’s
Canadian lobbyist to arrange meetings
with politicians from all political parties
to establish open lines of communication
in anticipation of the upcoming federal
election in the fall of 2019 and the possibility
of a change in government.
Federal Election
Canada is heading into a federal election
in the fall of 2019. In anticipation
of this election, IATSE has joined forces
with other labour organizations on two
different initiatives. First, IATSE has
partnered with the Directors’ Guild of
Canada and other industry unions and
guilds on a non-partisan member engagement
campaign. Called “Just Ask”,
the goal of the initiative is to get as many
members as possible out to campaign
events where members can pose questions
to candidates to gauge their support
for the entertainment industry and/
or knowledge of the issues affecting the
industry. The initiative seeks to secure
pledges from members to attend at least
one town hall or all-candidates meeting
to ask at least one question of candidates
and to also request that candidates sign a
card confirming their support for the industry.
The initiative has an online presence
with a website and various social
media accounts and is being spearheaded
by a full-time organizer.
Second, IATSE has once again joined
forces with other labour organizations
in Engage Canada, a union–run group
overseen by veteran Liberal and New
Democratic Party strategists. The focus
of Engage Canada is to run a concerted
campaign against Federal Conservative
Leader Andrew Scheer in hopes of ensuring
the Conservatives do not form
the next federal government. Funding
for pre-election period television, radio
and digital ads run by Engage Canada
was derived from union donations,
which included donations from IATSE
Locals ranging from $500 to $40,000
and a donation from the International
in the amount of $25,000 for a total of
$130,000. Representative Hurdon played
an “Engage Canada” ad for the General
Executive Board.
Provincial Update
Saskatchewan
In late 2017, the Government of Saskatchewan
introduced a law allowing
survivors of domestic or sexual violence
ten unpaid days of leave. In May 2019,
the province amended this legislation
to allow survivors five paid days of leave
from work and five unpaid days. All
Canadian provinces, with the exception
of Alberta, now have leave for domestic
violence, whether it is paid, unpaid, or
a combination of the two. This recent
amendment to Saskatchewan’s legislation
is a great victory for all survivors of
domestic and sexual violence as well as a
celebration for the IATSE as the issue of
paid leave for all such survivors was identified
as a priority by IATSE at the Saskatoon
Canadian Convention back in 2015.
Alberta
Alberta’s labour friendly National
Democratic Party was defeated by the
United Conservative Party in the provincial
election held in April 2019. The UCP,
led by former federal cabinet minister
Jason Kenney, netted 63 of the 87 seats
in the Legislative Assembly and formed
a majority government. This is a disappointing
result for organized labour and
one that is likely going to translate into
many of the progressive labour friendly
laws passed by the NDP being repealed
and/or significantly amended in the
months and years to come.
Prince Edward Island
PEI’s incumbent Liberal Party government
was defeated by the Progressive
Conservative Party in the provincial
election held in April 2019. The PC’s will
form a minority government with the
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