The Agreement, which had been extended to July 31, 2008, while talks continued between a joint advertiser/agency committee and the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists negotiators, governs the remuneration terms and working conditions for performers in commercials for TV, radio and new media.

Terms that would modernize the Agreement have been at the forefront of discussions to date by both sides in the talks.

Under the Negotiation Protocol, the parties have entered into the conciliation phase of collective bargaining, with conciliation meetings set for September 3 and 4/08. The parties have agreed not to speak to the media at this time.

The Association of Canadian Advertisers and Institute of Communication Agencies, representing the advertising industry, and ACTRA, representing professional performers in commercials, are optimistic a satisfactory agreement will be worked out as a result of the conciliation process. In the meantime, the industry will continue to operate under the terms and conditions of the current Agreement.