What we do

The WGC negotiates, enforces, and administers collective agreements setting out the minimum terms and conditions of work in the Guild’s jurisdiction — independent English-language production in Canada. The central collective agreement, the Independent Production Agreement, is negotiated between the Guild and the Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA). Agreements have also been negotiated with the CBC, NFB, TVOntario, CTV, Global, and ACCESS (Alberta). We also provide industry standard writing contracts, ensure contracts comply with the collective agreements, pursue royalties, and resolve disputes on working conditions, payment, and writing credits.

As the voice of Canadian screenwriters, the Guild works to raise the profile of writers through a number of initiatives. The Guild actively promotes writers and their craft through the Directory of Members, and the annual WGC Screenwriting Awards. We also organize training seminars and networking opportunities for members. The Guild also undertakes extensive lobbying and policy projects, working closely with government agencies to promote Canada’s film and television industry.

Several years ago, the Guild established the Canadian Screenwriters Collection Society (CSCS) to collect and distribute foreign authors’ levies legislated for screenwriters from secondary uses in Europe and other jurisdictions. Membership in CSCS is free for all WGC members.

The Guild works closely with other screenwriter organizations around the world and is a member of the International Affiliation of Writers Guilds (IAWG), the body representing guilds of professional screenwriters. Agreements are in place to allow members of the WGC working in most other guilds’ jurisdictions to waive their initiation fees when joining.