The Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) and the Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM) announced Friday the establishment and ratification of the first-ever agreement that sets the terms, conditions and rates for musicians “engaged on English-language independent productions in Canada.”
The Independent Production Agreement has a three-year term that begins on January 1, 2025 and expires on December 31, 2027.
The CFM is the Canadian national office of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM), which represents 70,000 professional musicians, 15,000 of which live and work in Canada.
“This agreement will not only bring more work to our members but also streamline the contracting process for independent producers, fostering a more collaborative and productive environment for the Canadian film and television industry,” Allistair Elliott, AFM vice president from Canada, said in a press release. “Additionally, this achievement is a testament to the dedication of former AFM Vice President from Canada Alan Willaert, whose vision and tireless efforts guided this negotiation for six years. Alan’s legacy of service to our members will forever be remembered.”
Sean Porter, the CMPA’s counsel and vice president of national industrial relations, added in the release: “We are pleased to have reached a historic agreement with the CFM that recognizes the instrumental role of musicians in storytelling and the artistic value of music in enhancing Canadian productions.”
