David Sparrow new President of ACTRA Toronto

TORONTO, Jan. 9, 2013 /CNW/ - The governing council of ACTRA Toronto yesterday elected David Sparrow as the new President for a two-year term.

"It is humbling and inspiring to be asked to lead the Toronto Branch of our great union," said Mr. Sparrow. "For 70 years ACTRA has worked to defend the rights, wages and working conditions of Canadian performers who work in the audiovisual sector. I am honoured to be part of that proud legacy."

An ACTRA Toronto member for 21 years, Sparrow has been an elected councillor since 2005 and Executive Vice-President of Member Services since 2007. Deeply committed to improving the lot of ACTRA members in all categories, David has a special interest in protecting and empowering ACTRA members in online media.

As a member of ACTRA's negotiation committee through several rounds of bargaining, David has played an active role in improving terms and conditions for ACTRA members working under the National Commercial Agreement as well as the Independent Production Agreement. He is an active and articulate lobbyist for performer rights at all levels of government and a well-known and effective ambassador for ACTRA Toronto to our allies in the Canadian labour movement.

With a background in improvisational comedy at The Second City, David's career has taken him from stage to film and television and from performing to writing, producing and directing. A well-rounded performer with over 80 Canadian and U.S. film and TV credits and extensive experience in commercials and animation, David is equally at home in front of the camera or behind the microphone. He is a proud member of ACTRA's sister unions Canadian Actors' Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA.

ACTRA Toronto is the largest organization within ACTRA, representing over 15,000 of Canada's 22,000 professional performers working in the English-language recorded media in Canada.  As an advocate for Canadian culture since 1943, ACTRA is a member-driven union that continues to secure rights and respect for the work of professional performers.

Image with caption: "David Sparrow, President, ACTRA Toronto (CNW Group/ACTRA Toronto)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130109_C4892_PHOTO_EN_22385.jpg

SOURCE: ACTRA Toronto

For further information:

Karen Woolridge
Public Relations Officer
ACTRA Toronto
P: 416-937-1437
E: [e-mail]