Dear EIC Signatories,

The EIC was created by ACTRA Toronto in the early 90’s when elected council and staff committed to help protect members from unregulated talent agents.  ACTRA Toronto collaborated with industry partners to organize agents under the EIC, a voluntary talent agent association with a membership vetting process and a business code of conduct. 

The EIC was chaired by elected ACTRA Toronto leaders and supported by ACTRA Toronto staff who provided administrative and legal services, hosted agents meetings, and processed agent applications for the EIC board to review. ACTRA Toronto Staff also received concerns and communicated with agents on behalf of the EIC as part of the established process. Regular reports were provided to ACTRA Toronto Council and to the membership at large at ACTRA Toronto conferences. ACTRA Toronto’s support was vital to the EIC’s standing in the industry.

With this support EIC attracted board members representing performers, agents, casting directors and photographers.  Over  nearly 30 years the EIC depended on ACTRA Toronto’s support to operate effectively.

This all changed with the Compass agency concerns that later became subject of a police investigation and ongoing court proceedings. 

The EIC Board notified ACTRA Toronto of emerging financial discrepancies and proposed measures to protect members; however, ACTRA Toronto declined to act, prioritizing potential defamation exposure. It also refused to provide a list of performers represented by Compass, preventing the EIC from giving notice to those affected. By the time law enforcement became involved, more than $1,000,000 had been misappropriated. The matter remains before the courts.

After almost 30 years of important work setting standards for the actor-agent business relationship the ACTRA Toronto has severed ties with the association it created. Without the institutional support of ACTRA Toronto, the volunteer EIC board is no longer able to operate as an effective resource helping actors. 

Therefore the EIC board respectfully resigns on March 3rd, 2026. 

We do not take this action lightly. We recognize the consequences of losing the EIC will have a substantial impact on actors who reach out to the EIC for guidance and support.  Who will help them now?  In the absence of the EIC it is critical that ACTRA Toronto council recommit to investing time and resources in helping performers navigate their professional representation relationships.

 – The EIC Board