WGC Member Meetings!

The WGC is in the midst of collective bargaining, and it's time to talk again with members. Priorities in this round of bargaining include animation minimums, bible contracts and increases (including increases to retirement contributions). There is tough work ahead. Join us for an update and to share your perspective on this current round of negotiations.

Montreal

When: Tuesday, February 7, 2012 @ 7pm
Where: Lionceau of Au Petit Extra (1690 Ontario St East, Montreal)
            RSVP by contacting Elaine Mannila. (please mention city when RSVPing)

2011 Statements and Tax Receipts Available

The 2011 Statements of Earnings and Benefits and Tax Receipts are now available for members by logging into the website with your confidential login id and password and selecting the red Member Toolkit button and the Get Your Statements and Tax Receipts menu item.  You can view, download and/or save your statement or tax receipt.  You will have a 2011 statement available only if earnings have been reported to and processed for you by the Guild in the 2011 calendar year.  If you have any problem with missing earnings or benefits or any other issues with your statement or tax receipt please contact Terry Mark.  If you need a login id or password for the website, please contact Dinesh Thurairajah or Terry Mark.

CBC Licence Renewal Delay (Again)

The CRTC has informed stakeholders that they are postponing the CBC licence renewal hearing that was scheduled for June of this year. You may recall that this hearing was initially to be in September of 2011, and was postponed to June 2012 last July. CBC asked for this most recent postponement because, they argue, a budget in March will not give them enough time to plan for a June hearing. CRTC agreed in a notice that went out Feb 1. No new date has been set. We will keep members informed as we learn more. Since CBC has not had a licence renewal hearing in 11 years, we have not had the opportunity that these hearings provide to publicly discuss the broadcaster’s past – and potential future – performance.

Call For Nominations – WGC Special Awards

The WGC recognizes certain unique contributions through its Special Awards, including the WGC Showrunner Award & the Alex Barris Mentorship Award.

The sixth annual WGC Showrunner Award will go to a screenwriter with a big vision and a body of work that expresses it. Learn more about the Award here, and nominate a showrunner you admire today.

The Alex Barris Mentorship Award is the chance to recognize that mentor who helped you become the writer you are today? The award acknowledges one person who has gone above and beyond to help a writer - or several writers - to get a start in the business – just as Alex Barris did over his career. While the nominator must be a WGC member, the recipient need not be. It could be a teacher or a story editor, or someone else. Learn more about the Award here, and nominate your mentor today.
 

Member Alert: Telefilm Changes!

Telefilm Canada has instituted new development guidelines that will affect feature film writers in Canada. Please refer any questions to your local Telefilm office and/or check the Telefilm website for more.