Happy 2026 members and friends!

It’s that time of year again – the chill in the air, snow blanketing the ground, and a feeling of much to celebrate and look forward to.  I hope you all had a beautiful Holiday Season and that 2026 is full of success, prosperity, good health and happiness for you all!

I was driving to work (my other work) one recent morning and was drawn to a series of what appeared to be cranes outside an architecturally impressive building on Main Street.  The first thought that went through my mind was “construction, during rush hour…typical Wednesday morning.”

However, on a closer look, while waiting at a never-ending red light, I noticed a familiar name on the arm of one of the steel giants taking up the entire City sidewalk – Sunbelt Rentals.  I looked more closely and saw that each arm held a gigantic light shining into the limestone building.  I became aware of the crew members busying themselves, walking at a near-jogging pace into the front entrance, one clearly holding a script.

I felt a strange sense of pride as I realized that even during my rush hour-induced rage, our industry – and the profound contribution our acting community plays in it – is never resting.

As of January 2026, we have at least 4 major productions on the go, and many more to come.  Audition notices have been rampant on Casting Workbook.  I have heard of numerous ACTRA Manitoba members booking roles.  We are going strong, folks!

We celebrated the festive season with our Members’ Holiday Party, which, after popular demand, was bowling!  On December 14^th, 2025, over 100 of our members filled Coronation Bowling lanes to share in some holiday cheer, bingo bowling and good conversation.  It was a huge success.

You’ll be excited to know that we have scheduled our 2026 MIP Showcase, which will take place on June 5, 2026, at Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain (CCFM).  Stay tuned for announcements about the next round of MIP applications.

Our 2026 ACTRA Manitoba Awards Gala has also been booked – mark your calendars for the festivities at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights on November 7, 2026.  Stay tuned to Member to Member for info on how to nominate your fellow members for the various awards.

ACTRA Manitoba is a strong proponent of training and providing opportunities to learn.  There are a number of training opportunities coming down the pipe as well, including programming specific to Minors, Intimacy Coordination, and the always popular Actor’s Gyms!  If you would like to see something training-related, contact me and we will discuss working your ideas into our programming.

Our committees are also up and running:

1. Training Committee
2. Women’s Committee
3. Indigenous Committee
4. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Committee
5. Age Inclusion (55+) Committee
6. Social Committee
7. Member Communications Committee
8. Labour and Political Action Committee
9. Young Emerging Actors Assembly (YEAA)

We have also added a new committee, the AI Committee, to discuss the impact of Artificial Intelligence on our work, and to bring our voice to the ACTRA National AI Task Force.

If you have any matters or issues that you want to raise that are specific to any of these committees, or even if you want to be a part of a committee, please reach out to myself or our Branch Representative Rea Kavanagh and we will be sure to direct you to the appropriate committee chair!

Our fight for our industry doesn’t end at provincial borders.  I have genuinely lost count of the number of National Constitutional and Women’s Committees’, Council, and Executive meetings I have attended since September.

From February 3-6, 2026, I will be attending the ACTRA National Council Meeting in Burlington, Ontario, in my capacity as National Councillor.  I will provide a fulsome update to you all upon my return.  Matters that have been of National concern in recent months include:

1. National has heard Manitoba’s voices.  Vice President Marsha Knight (also co-chair of the Indigenous Committee) will also be attending the meeting in February to present on proposed initiatives relating to Indigenous ACTRA Members.
2. ACTRA National submitted recommendations to the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television bolstering the importance of recognition for Canadian Talent.  Since then, the Canadian Screen Awards have been reserved exclusively for Canadian Citizens or permanent residents of Canada.
3. National has taken a strong stand against the existential threat of AI, and intends to lobby the federal government as it pursues AI legislation.  With the emergence of “Tilly Norwood”, National has been quoted as saying “There is no place in our industry, and no use in the humanity of art, for replacing performers with synthetics.  ACTRA rejects any attempt to do so”.
4. A National Task Force on AI is being developed to navigate proposals and concerns, and report back to ACTRA National.  Branches are urged to also establish AI Committees to be in communication with the National Task Force.
5. National Council passed 20 amendments to its National By-Laws, which should be going live soon, if not already.
6. Kent Sikstrom started working as the new National Director of Public Affairs at ACTRA National on August 11, 2025.
7. ACTRA’s agreement with the CBC is the union’s oldest and first national collective agreement with a Canadian broadcaster, and dates back to 1943 when ACTRA became a national federation.  Negotiations about this agreement are scheduled to take place in February of 2026.
8. National Council has been engaged in deep discussions relating to residuals and which categories under the IPA may receive monies from the residual pool. 
9. ACTRA National has approved the engagement of a Parliamentarian to attend all in-person and virtual National Council meetings to ensure compliance with parliamentary procedure and to adapt the Rules governing meetings to ACTRA National’s needs.

With this you should know: if you have a concern that you wish to have raised with your Branch council, tell us. We will discuss it.  Also, Manitoba Branch Council meetings are open to members of our Union. You’re welcome to attend.

Please know your union is working for you!  Your Council are members, like you.  Please reach out to us or the Branch Staff with any questions!

Wishing you the very best for 2026!

In solidarity,

Kalyn Bomback
President and National Councillor
ACTRA Manitoba