An innovative Act establishes CAPPRT

The Canadian Artists and Producers Professional Relations Tribunal is a federal agency that administers the regime of professional relations contained in the Status of the Artist Act. The Tribunal was created in 1993 under the Status of the Artist Act and began functioning when the substantive provisions of the Act were brought into force in May 1995.

The Status of the Artist Act establishes a framework for the conduct of professional relations between independent professional artists and producers within the federal jurisdiction. The Act guarantees the right of artists to join associations that can represent their professional interests and the right to bargain collectively with producers for the purpose of reaching agreement on the minimum terms and conditions under which an artist will provide services to those producers. The Act also permits producers to form associations for the purposes of bargaining and entering into scale agreements. Although scale agreements set the minimum terms and conditions applicable in a particular artistic sector, artists are still free to negotiate individual contracts that provide more favourable rights and benefits.

With the Status of the Artist Act, the government of Canada recognizes the importance of the contribution of artists to the cultural, social, economic and political enrichment of Canada.