Edmonton media outlet Taproot pays the writers
Karen Unland is appalled by publishers that don’t pay their freelancers. The co-founder of the brand new Edmonton media outlet Taproot says relying on unpaid writers is the sign of a broken business model. “It just seems like if you can’t pay the people who are doing the work, it’s not a viable business,” she says. […]
New CBC opinion section provides more paid writing opportunities for freelancers
This post is the ninth in a series called “E-Lancer Writes,” exploring the working conditions, rights and collective organizing strategies of freelance journalists, interns and other low-wage or temporary digital media workers. By Errol Salamon Canadian freelance writers have one more potential way to earn money: by selling their ideas to the new opinion section […]
Access Copyright & Access Copyright Foundation: What Can They Do for You?
by Elle Andra-Warner Are you registered with Access Copyright (AC) as one of over 11,000 Canadian writers, visual artists or publishers who receive an annual payment? Or have you ever applied for a Professional Development, Research or Events grant from Access Copyright Foundation? If not, here’s some information that could add to your stream of […]
Are you owed money by Venture Publishing?
In December of 2013 we posted a story about Venture Publishing in Alberta. We’d been hearing from a lot of freelancers who were having trouble getting paid for their work in a timely manner. Three years later, we’re still hearing from freelancers who are waiting as long as 18 months for their invoices to be paid. […]
CBC Advises Freelancers on How to Get Paid in the Event of a Canada Post Labour Dispute
The union representing Canada Post employees issued 72-hour strike notice yesterday. As a result, there may be a disruption in postal services across Canada starting early next week. The CBC has advised us on some options aimed at making sure freelance contributors who currently receive their paycheques in the mail can make alternate arrangements. The options, […]
CANADALAND takes on Alberta’s notoriously slow-paying publisher
The media criticism website CANADALAND published a post this week about Venture Publishing’s habit of paying its freelancers extremely late. Edmonton writer Jay Smith spoke with a number of freelancers as well as Venture Publishing’s CEO and president Ruth Kelly about the publisher’s financial troubles. The publisher, which owns Alberta Venture and Alberta Oil magazines and […]
Chatelaine’s call for unpaid submissions
One of our freelance union members recently brought our attention to a recent call for submissions by Chatelaine magazine. The call-out asks readers to submit full 500-word stories that have not been published elsewhere. Writers whose articles are selected will not be paid for their work. In response to Story Board’s request for comment on […]
Freelance Rates Rising at CBC/Radio-Canada
The Canadian Media Guild and CBC have agreed to an across-the-board wage increase of 1.5% for 2016-17. This increase is also applicable to all the minimum rates applicable to Freelance Contributors. The increase is effective April 1st and the new rates should be posted at cmg.ca and cmgfreelance.ca within the next couple of days. The one exception is the […]
What is your time worth?
By Sandra Phinney It’s a curious human trait how we tend to put certain people and professions on a pedestal, while we look down on others. I was acutely aware of this when I farmed. When I taught university courses and wore a professor’s hat, I had tons of respect. Wearing my farmer’s hat … […]
Follow the Money: How to Find Clients & Structure Deals for Freelance Success
by Miranda Miller Ah, the freelance life… lazing on the beach, trying not to tip the hammock as you reach for that one last piña colada you’ll allow yourself before settling in for your two hours of afternoon writing. Or maybe you’re the type of freelancer who bakes all day, between keeping a spotless house […]
