Historical Background

Canada signs UNESCO's Recommendation on the Status of the Artist, which addresses issues such as artists' rights of association and working conditions.

The Applebaum-Hébert Report of the Federal Cultural Policy Review Committee concludes that, despite their overwhelming contribution to Canadian life, artists' living conditions remain precarious.

The Siren-Gélinas Task Force on the Status of the Artist submits a report which draws the Government's attention to issues such as the unique characteristics of artists' working conditions and recommends collective bargaining rights for artists who are independent contractors, among other recommendations.

Quebec passes Bill 78 and Bill 90, with the purpose of creating legal frameworks for professional relations between self-employed artists and producers and distributors within provincial jurisdiction. Both new regimes are to be administered by the Commission de reconnaissance des associations d’artistes (now the Commission de reconnaissance des associations d'artistes et des associations de producteurs).

The same year, the Canadian Advisory Committee on the Status of the Artist develops a Canadian Artists’ Code, recommending, among other things in areas of federal jurisdiction, a legal framework for collective bargaining similar to the one adopted in Quebec.

The Standing Committee on Communications and Culture tables a report endorsed by the three main political parties, which recommends a legal framework for artists’ professional relations to be administered by an independent administrative tribunal.

The Government responds positively to this recommendation. A Status of the Artist bill is drafted, which includes provisions to create the Canadian Artists and Producers Professional Relations Tribunal. The proposed legislation is tabled for the first time.

The Status of the Artist bill is reintroduced in a new session of Parliament, and the Standing Committee on Communications and Culture commences study of the Bill.

The Status of the Artist Act receives Royal Assent.

Sections 10, 11, 12, 13, 15 and 16 of the Act are proclaimed, permitting the creation of the Tribunal. A Chairperson is appointed.

A Vice-chairperson and two members are appointed in March. The Act is proclaimed in force in May, and the first application for certification is received in June. A third member is appointed in December.

The first certification order is issued in January. The first scale agreement is negotiated and signed in September.