Human Resources committee  There is ongoing discussion on the amounts that could be potentially transferred to the ATSSC.

Human Resources committee  Again, it will put pressure on the board, and whether we'll be able to meet that 45-day timeline.... If that's what results from this committee and that's what Parliament adopts, it will be challenging for the board to be able to meet that time frame with the existing resources, and it's not only that: Everything will be focused on that work, and the rest of the caseload will be delayed further.

Human Resources committee  Good morning. Thank you, Mr. Chair and committee members, for the invitation to appear before you this morning as part your study of Bill C-58. I intend to speak about the board and its work, its responsibilities and its structures, and explain the impact that Bill C-58 is likely to have on the board’s operations.

Canadian Heritage committee  You're absolutely right; there is a distinction between federal and provincial producers. The Status of the Artist Act applies uniquely and solely to federal producers, and they are defined very clearly in the act. It has to be a broadcasting entity regulated by the CRTC or a department or a federal organization listed in the Privacy Act.

Canadian Heritage committee  Thank you for the question. This is a tool that exists in the Canada Labour Code and, as we know, the Status of the Artist Act was modelled on the Canada Labour Code. For numerous reasons, at the time, the department decided not to include that provision in the Act. The Act has existed for 25 years now.

Canadian Heritage committee  I would simply add that binding arbitration for a first agreement or for subsequent agreements is not part of the current framework, although it is found in the Canada Labour Code. As to whether that is the logical next step, that is a policy decision that should be made by the department, given the experience we have with the Act in its present form.

Canadian Heritage committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to the committee for the invitation. The Status of the Artist Act was adopted in 1992 and enacted in 1995, just over 25 years ago. Part II of the Act establishes a framework for collective bargaining between artists who are independent workers and producers who want to retain their services for specific projects.