Gail Haupert

Gail Haupert is a strong BIPOC leader in Canada’s screen-based industry, known for her

expertise in labour relations and commitment to championing performers' rights. As Director of

Contracts and Production at ACTRA Toronto, she has spent over 19 years protecting the rights

and working conditions of Canadian performers, while playing a leadership role in how collective

agreements are negotiated, interpreted, and enforced.

Gail oversees two departments at ACTRA Toronto; the Film, Television, Digital Media, and

Commercial Departments, managing a skilled and diverse team that handles hundreds of

productions annually. She has been a part of numerous complex labour negotiations and has

been instrumental in modernizing contract language to reflect the evolving landscape of the

screen-based industry. Gail is regarded across the industry as an expert in the administration of

collective bargaining agreements and a sharp but compassionate problem-solver in labour

disputes.

Her impact is seen beyond the four walls of ACTRA Toronto. She sits on multiple Film,

Television & Digital Media boards, where she provides insight into union and labour matters that

impact Toronto’s ability to be seen a leading production hub. She has represented the Toronto

film industry locally and overseas, promoting the strengths of the city and talented workforce

that can be found in Ontario. Gail also works with other guilds and unions to streamline

practices and resolve issues before they can take hold.

Gail’s leadership is seen in her mentorship of rising industry professionals and ensures that

ACTRA Toronto’s contract administration is clear and direct. Her calm, reasonable presence is

matched by a fierce dedication to advocacy, ensuring that performers are protected and heard.

Known in the industry for her quick, accurate responses and intellect, Gail is a champion for

growth and fair treatment in the screen-based sector, and her legacy is not only in the

agreements she has shaped but also in the empowered, respected workforce she has helped to

cultivate.