23 members representing different regions and artistic disciplines are elected from across Canada to Equity’s National Council, forming the Association’s leadership, and determining Equity’s objectives. They do this through policies, and committee work, with the support of members at large.
National Council
Statement of Affirmation
Member events, such as AGMs, Honours ceremonies, and Member Orientation Sessions, begin with a reading of Council’s Statement of Affirmation:
Equity embraces an open and inclusive environment, and encourages respectful behaviour that affirms the dignity of all individuals. Equity further recognizes our shared responsibility for vigilance in creating and maintaining this environment.
Equity recognizes a shared history with Indigenous First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in Canada. In honour of those that have gone before us Equity commits to working toward understanding and actionable practises of reconciliation.
Regions
Equity is made up of nine geographic regions and four discipline-based regions. Members in each region elect Councillors to represent their voices at National Council. Council seats are allocated broadly in proportion to membership.
Atlantic
British Columbia & Yukon
Dance
Eastern Ontario & Outaouais
Eastern Opera
Manitoba & Nunavut
Northern Alberta & NWT
Ontario
Quebec
Saskatchewan
Southern Alberta
Stage Management
Western Opera
How Council Works
Council elections are held every 3 years, with the nomination period opening in the fall. Councillors are elected to serve a 3-year term, beginning in January.
Council meets once a month (except July and December) to conduct its business, which generally includes:
- Receiving an update from the Executive Director
- Reviewing monitoring reports on the work of the Association
- Discussing issues as they arise
- Developing new initiatives
If you’d like to know more about how Council works, don’t wait around for the next set of elections–contact the Council Education & Renewal Committee for more information or email the Council President (president@caea.com) to attend a meeting.
Get involved!
Equity is a member-led assoiciation. Members support Equity’s objectives in many ways, including:
- Sitting on Council
- Joining a committee
- Submitting proposals for negotiations
- Participating in ratification and election votes
Members are encouraged to get involved at whatever level feels comfortable. Come to a meeting, take a workshop, or answer a survey. You’ll get as much out of being an Equity member as you put in.
Request for Council Action
A Request for Council Action (RCA) is a fundamental way for every member to participate in the governance of their Association. Members-at-large are invited to submit ideas for initiatives, suggestions for policy change, or issues for discussion at Council meetings, via an RCA.
Council considers the merit of an RCA (i.e. is it within our purview?, does it serve the needs of the membership?, etc.) before deciding to add the RCA to a subsequent Council Meeting Agenda. Requests for Council Action are generally expected to benefit recognised communities within the membership or the membership as a whole. Requests that seek to benefit an individual or any sufficiently small group of members may be declined.
Once it’s on the agenda, Council discusses the RCA and decides how best to proceed (i.e., form a Task Force to tackle the issue, hand it over to staff to work on, etc.).
If you would like to offer your input on an ongoing RCA, we encourage you to contact your regional Councillor.