Demographic data provides solid evidence for diversity and inclusion, conference told

OTTAWA–Demographic reporting is essential if we are to promote diversity in film and television, the Canadian Media Producers Association was told Thursday. Its annual Prime Time conference held a panel discussion entitled Data Matters: How to use demographic reporting to increase diversity and inclusion on screen. The CRTC has been told to use demographic data to guarantee participation as it seeks to implement the Online Streaming Act. While not commenting on the act specifically, the four panelists did illustrate how they gather information on marginalized communities. “We want everyone to feel comfortable submitting their self-identification,” Francesca Accinelli, senior vice president with Telefilm Canada, said. “That’s the way we can move forward.” Prem Gill, the CEO of Creative BC, pointed out that there are weekly conversations among stakeholders at all levels to look at increasing diversity in the workplace. “None of us work in silos,” she noted. The information is only as good as the structure assembled to gather it, Richard Koo, vice president at the Canada Media Fund, stated. A bad data set will produce bad results. He advocated looking at the people behind the numbers. Jenn Paul, director of diversity for ACTRA National, said many of her members are wary about the process. “Not everyone from a historically marginalized community necessarily wants to provide self-identification data,” she said. Performers worry that they will not be able to get hired if they are slotted into a stereotypical role. It limits the amount of work they can get. Even now, while racialized actors are getting more calls to audition, their booking rate for jobs has not changed. Accinelli noted that there are roadblocks to gathering data. As a federal agency, Telefilm is subject to government privacy rules which dictate how information is collected. She recalled that at one time, the agency was not permitted to release statistics on gender. When there was a demand for figures based on gender, the rules were changed in 2017 so Telefilm could produce the results. Koo states having firm data is essential. “We are starting to make evidence-based decision-making based on real information that we have whereas in previous eras it might have been anecdotal,” he offered. The Fund will be releasing data from an in-depth survey later this month, he told the delegates. Gill reported that Creative BC will be issuing its own survey later this year. Paul said her union has a database which has proved helpful to foreign producers looking to film here. “When producers are thinking about coming to Canada to shoot, they can take a look at that database and actually see ‘ok it is going to be feasible for me to film here because there are enough performers to support my vision’,” she said. Having detailed information on the union membership helped the organization lobby for a better deal for performers who received the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). Initially those with gross earnings of $5000 annually were not expected to repay the CERB disbursements. ACTRA got the federal government to alter that to $5000 net income. –Reporting by Paul Park at ppark@thewirereport.ca and editing by Jenna Cocullo at jcocullo@thewirereport.ca

Demographic data provides solid evidence for diversity and inclusion, conference told

News | February 1, 2024

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us

Demographic data provides solid evidence for diversity and inclusion, conference told

News | February 1, 2024

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Related Stories

Corus reports drops in revenue, profit during Q3 as layoffs continue

Federal arbitrator releases paid time political broadcast schedule

TV broadcasters denounce streamers’ appeals of CRTC’s broadcasting contribution decision

Eastlink and Corus join forces to present content to customers

Reuse & Permissions

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us