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TORONTO STAR
November 17, 2022
Actors who reportedly lost more than $500,000 after a talent agency abruptly ceased operations say their union did not warn them for weeks about complaints the agency was withholding wages.
The Toronto Star has learned that the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA), the union representing some 200 clients of Compass Artist Management Inc., knew about financial issues at the Toronto talent agency on Aug. 15 but allegedly did not warn some members until weeks later on Sept. 21 — all while continuing to collect union dues for wages that would never end up in the hands of artists.
ACTRA Toronto does not dispute that the agency received complaints from other Compass artists but said it is not their responsibility to investigate or communicate complaints about agencies, adding that it relies on “moral suasion” to encourage adherence to best practices.
“At the end of the day, we have no actual power to make agents behave, and we cannot make public statements based on allegations we are unable to verify,” the organization said in a public statement.
In an industry that contributes nearly $3 billion to Ontario’s economy annually, actors say the response from their union and other organizations meant to support working performers highlights the urgent need for additional safeguards to protect the province’s more than 15,000 unionized actors, who currently have little recourse against unscrupulous agents.
Unlike other entertainment centres, such as British Columbia or California, Ontario does not have provincial industry licensing standards nor regulations for talent agents and management companies, leaving most oversight to the industry itself, a system which actors and even the union admit is wholly inadequate.
As previously reported in a Star investigation, Compass allegedly did not pass along payment to clients for jobs completed months ago. The Toronto Police financial crimes unit said Wednesday it has received more than 60 complaints in relation to the agency and has opened a criminal investigation.
No charges have been laid and the allegations have not been tested in court.
In a statement to the Star provided for the previous story, the agency’s director, Daniel Philip Friedman, said he never did anything “with bad intentions” or malice.
“I couldn’t feel worse or be more genuinely sorry and sad about how this has affected people. I hope people will believe I left no stone unturned to try and resolve this before it got to this point,” he said in response to the many allegations. “I also want people to know that I am not sitting on money, assets, secret homes in the Bahamas, etc.”
In a statement to the Star, Harry Godfrey, director of communications for Minister of Labour Monte McNaughton, said Compass’s alleged behaviour is “entirely unacceptable,” adding that the ministry is reviewing whether additional measures are needed to protect artists.
Affected actors who spoke with the Star say they want to see the province take leadership and enact legislation to regulate talent agencies. But many also blame their union for not protecting them in this incident.
Actors who reportedly lost more than $500,000 after a talent agency abruptly ceased operations say their union did not warn them for weeks about complaints the agency was withholding wages.
The Toronto Star has learned that the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA), the union representing some 200 clients of Compass Artist Management Inc., knew about financial issues at the Toronto talent agency on Aug. 15 but allegedly did not warn some members until weeks later on Sept. 21 — all while continuing to collect union dues for wages that would never end up in the hands of artists.
ACTRA Toronto does not dispute that the agency received complaints from other Compass artists but said it is not their responsibility to investigate or communicate complaints about agencies, adding that it relies on “moral suasion” to encourage adherence to best practices.
“At the end of the day, we have no actual power to make agents behave, and we cannot make public statements based on allegations we are unable to verify,” the organization said in a public statement.
In an industry that contributes nearly $3 billion to Ontario’s economy annually, actors say the response from their union and other organizations meant to support working performers highlights the urgent need for additional safeguards to protect the province’s more than 15,000 unionized actors, who currently have little recourse against unscrupulous agents.
Unlike other entertainment centres, such as British Columbia or California, Ontario does not have provincial industry licensing standards nor regulations for talent agents and management companies, leaving most oversight to the industry itself, a system which actors and even the union admit is wholly inadequate.
As previously reported in a Star investigation, Compass allegedly did not pass along payment to clients for jobs completed months ago. The Toronto Police financial crimes unit said Wednesday it has received more than 60 complaints in relation to the agency and has opened a criminal investigation.
No charges have been laid and the allegations have not been tested in court.
In a statement to the Star provided for the previous story, the agency’s director, Daniel Philip Friedman, said he never did anything “with bad intentions” or malice.
“I couldn’t feel worse or be more genuinely sorry and sad about how this has affected people. I hope people will believe I left no stone unturned to try and resolve this before it got to this point,” he said in response to the many allegations. “I also want people to know that I am not sitting on money, assets, secret homes in the Bahamas, etc.”
In a statement to the Star, Harry Godfrey, director of communications for Minister of Labour Monte McNaughton, said Compass’s alleged behaviour is “entirely unacceptable,” adding that the ministry is reviewing whether additional measures are needed to protect artists.
Affected actors who spoke with the Star say they want to see the province take leadership and enact legislation to regulate talent agencies. But many also blame their union for not protecting them in this incident.
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