Status of the Artist Act: a historic victory

Montréal, June 3, 2022 — For UNEQ, June 3, 2022 is a milestone: Québec writers finally become artists in their own right.

The National Assembly of Québec unanimously adopted Bill 35 today, which aims to modernize and standardize the professional status of artists. The legislation places writers on the same footing as artists in other disciplines.

By merging the two previous acts respecting the professional status of artists, passed in 1987 and 1988, lawmakers now recognize the working relationship between writers and their publishers and distributors. This significant advance will allow UNEQ to negotiate collective agreements that set minimum working conditions for literary artists and will provide for recourse in the event of litigation or abuse.

“This is a new era, a new beginning for Québec authors,” said Suzanne Aubry, President of UNEQ. “After many years of waiting and working, after an incredible mobilization of its members, our union is proud to have demonstrated to the Québec government the need to offer writers the full status of artist.”

UNEQ would like to congratulate the Minister of Culture and Communications and her team. UNEQ also applauds the collaboration of political parties who set aside partisanship throughout the process of reviewing and adopting the bill, to improve the lives of artists at the heart of Québec culture.

“UNEQ is finally becoming the union that writers deserve,” says Laurent Dubois, Executive Director. “Its mission is to offer them a fair, respectful, and safe working environment. Now the real work begins! It’s time for negotiations. We want to work respectfully with every player in the book chain, taking into consideration the multiple realities of the industry.”

This essential recognition will inspire other Canadian provinces, hopes UNEQ, and even other countries where major progress has yet to be made in defending the socioeconomic conditions of authors.

About UNEQ

The Union des écrivaines et des écrivains québécois (UNEQ) is the representative association of literary artists in Québec and has over 1,600 members. This professional union has been working since 1977 to defend the socioeconomic rights of writers and to promote Québec literature in Québec, Canada, and abroad.

— 30 —

Source : Union des écrivaines et des écrivains québécois (UNEQ)

Contact : Marie-Rose Desautels, Morin relations publiques, marie-rose@morinrp.com, 819 580-9235.