Child actors in British Columbia’s recorded entertainment industry now have two options for safeguarding a portion of their earnings, thanks to a recent regulatory change.
The new regulation allows parents and guardians of young performers in film, radio, and television to choose between two trusts: the Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) or the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists’ (ACTRA) Minors’ Trust. This shift provides greater flexibility for managing child actors’ financial interests.
Previously, B.C. mandated that employers deposit a portion of child actors’ income into the PGT. In contrast, other Canadian jurisdictions use ACTRA’s Minors’ Trust as per collective agreements. The regulatory change aligns B.C. with these practices, offering an alternative that advocates, including ACTRA and the Union of British Columbia Performers, have long supported.
“We’re pleased to see this change, which gives parents and guardians more control over how their children’s earnings are managed,” said a spokesperson for ACTRA. “Ensuring that a portion of their income is protected as their sole legal property is crucial.”
In B.C., employers must set aside 25% of a child actor’s earnings above $2,000 per production. These amendments, however, do not apply retroactively to funds already held by the PGT, and these funds cannot be transferred to the Minors’ Trust. The ACTRA Performers’ Rights Society oversees the administration of the Minors’ Trust.
It’s important to note that the live entertainment sector does not have a similar trust fund. Thus, employers of children in live performances must continue to allocate 25% of earnings above $1,000 per week to the PGT.