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Media Release
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For Immediate Release: December 1, 2009

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TORONTO - The Actors' Fund of Canada announced today that IATSE Local 411, representing Production Coordinators, Assistant Production Coordinators and Secretaries as well as Craftservice and Honeywagon Operators, has contributed $1,500 to the Fund in support of its mission to provide emergency financial aid to entertainment industry workers in crisis across Canada.

"With a rising Canadian dollar we are seeing fewer production companies coming to Toronto, which means there are fewer jobs to go around" said Local 411 President Elspeth Cassar. "In hard times like these the Actors' Fund has come through for us with flying colours, helping countless IATSE members through financial crises. There is a direct link between the welfare of our members and the quality of work we are able to produce. If Canada is to maintain its reputation for having some of the most talented production staff we must support the organization that improves the welfare of all members of our industry."

The Actors' Fund of Canada is the lifeline for Canada's entertainment industry. Performers and others who work behind the scenes in film and television, theatre, music and dance can apply for emergency financial aid from the Fund, which recently set a new record for the amount of financial aid delivered to industry members in a single year, topping $600,000 in 2008. The Fund has helped over 10,000 entertainment industry workers recover from illness, injury or other circumstances causing severe economic and personal hardship since it was founded in 1958.

The Fund is a registered charity that has paid out over $3.7 million in rent payments, grocery money, utility payments and other basic living expenses in the last 10 years. Performers, creators, technical staff and other production team members can benefit from the Fund, which receives no major government funding and is sustained by support from individuals and entertainment industry organizations.

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CONTACT:

David Hope, The Actors' Fund of Canada
Phone: 1-877-399-8392
E-mail: contact@actorsfund.ca
Web site: www.actorsfund.ca
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©2010 The Actors' Fund of Canada - 1000 Yonge Street, Suite 301 Toronto, ON M4W 2K2
contact@actorsfund.ca / Tel: 416.975.0304 / Toll-Free: 1.877.399.8392 / Fax: 416.975.0306
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