Who We Are

Equity is responsible for negotiating and administering collective agreements for work in dance, opera, and theatre – ensuring artists are paid fairly, and their rights are respected. Equity also establishes engagement policies that encourage the development of independent production and make it easy for members to participate in small-scale projects.

Equity has a responsibility to keep artists working in live performance safe. This is accomplished through enforcing the terms of our agreements as well by creating anti-harassment and respectful workplace initiatives, such as our Not in Our Space! program.

Whether lobbying for sustainable funding in the not-for-profit live performance sector or encouraging public policy initiatives that promote artistic activities, Equity’s advocacy efforts focus on creating work opportunities for members and ensuring the needs and realities of artists working in live performance are always considered by the Canadian government.

Equity has an additional responsibility to support our members’ artistic and economic interests as they pursue a career in the arts. We do this by providing access to RRSP and insurance benefits, reciprocal agreements, professional development, discounts through our Members’ Advantage Program, community events, communication, and more.