LEGAL CONTEXT
In Quebec, a special Act* on labour relations in film, television and other areas imposes requirements on producers hiring artists for positions included in a bargaining sector defined by the CRT**.
This Act entitles artists’ associations to seek recognition as the exclusive bargaining agent for specific sectors. Once recognized, they can oblige a producer or a producers’ association to negotiate a collective agreement setting minimum hiring conditions for the artists they represent. To date, ten artists’ associations and technicians’ unions have been recognized in respect of some one hundred positions legally defined as held by “artists” (director, writer, actor, composer, DOP, editor, art director, decorator, hairdresser, etc.).
Producers may fulfil the negotiation requirement by joining a producers’ association that negotiates the necessary collective agreements on behalf of all its members. The APFTQ has signed collective agreements with most of the recognized artists’ associations in the areas of film and television.
Producers who prefer not to join the APFTQ must negotiate directly with the recognized associations or unions and conclude a separate agreement with each one on the minimum hiring conditions for the artists it represents. Non-member producers are entitled to use some of the collective agreements signed by the APFTQ subject to authorization and the payment of an administration fee. For full details, contact us.
* Act respecting the Professional Status and Conditions of Engagement of Performing, Recording and Film Artists (R.S.Q., c. S?32.1)
** Commission des relations du travail
OPTIONS
For shoots in Quebec, foreign producers may become Regular members of the APFTQ if they are substantially engaged in film or television production in Quebec.
If not, they may become Permit Holders on a per-production basis. As such, they have access to all industry collective agreements and related hiring contracts, and to industrial relations and financing consulting services throughout the production. The per-production fee is calculated as 0.55% of the total budget, to a maximum of $16,000 Once this maximum is reached, producers are entitled to a $2,000 rebate if they pay a training fee to the Regroupement pour la formation en audiovisuel du Québec (RFAVQ), a government-certified training collective.
Regular
membership application form
Permit
Holder application form
ASSISTANCE
Foreign producers shooting in Quebec find it helpful to hire production administrators (line producer, production manager, production accountant) belonging to the APFTQ. These professionals are well versed in the rules for hiring, obtaining temporary work permits and shooting authorizations, etc. Services are also available through well-established production houses listed in our Membership Directory.
