ACTRA Alberta Council Election – 2026

ACTRA Alberta Council Election Nominees

Check out all of the Candidates’ Videos and Statements below.

ACTRA Alberta members in good standing (FULL MEMBERS ONLY) vote for members of Council on-line from September 21 – October 1, 2026.

Results of the Council election will be announced at the General Meeting on Saturday October 3, 2026.

BEST OF LUCK TO ALL CANDIDATES!

PRESIDENT / NATIONAL COUNCILLOR

Blair Young
PRESIDENT / NATIONAL COUNCILLOR

Blair Young

Hey everyone, Blair Young here, looking for your vote as the next ACTRA AB President and National Councillor. Why, you ask? Experience. I’ve had the job for almost a decade, and want to continue the honour and privilege of representing you here in AB, and at the National table. During my time as Alberta President, our contingency fund increased from $600,000 to almost $3 million, while increasing staff three-fold from 2 to 6, providing members with the best service in the country! I have also performed in most performance categories: Actor, Principal, Voice Over, Audio Book Narrator, Commercial SOC, Commercial with lines, BG, Photo Double, and Stand In. And that on-set, Alberta-specific, lived experience comes with me when representing you. As National Councillor, I sit on a number of committees, and was elected National Treasurer in June. First time an Alberta member has been an officer of the union in almost 30 years. As a member of 4 IPA Negotiating Committees you have seen increases to your minimum pay of 48%, during a time when inflation was 32%, while getting the world’s first smoke provisions among many other improvements. Hope I can count on your vote. See you on set!
Guy Bews
PRESIDENT / NATIONAL COUNCILLOR

Guy Bews

To our ACTRA membership, My name is Guy Bews, and I am seeking your vote for President of ACTRA Alberta. I have been a member since 1989, served for several years as Stunt Member-at-Large on Council, and currently serve as a Board Member of Stunts Canada. I’ve been fortunate to double Adam Sandler in Happy Gilmore, receive the 2023 SAG Award for Outstanding Action Performance for The Last of Us, and the 2024 ACTRA Award for Best Stunt Coordinator for Fargo Season 5. Through my work with ACTRA members across Canada, I have built a strong national network and worked to organize performers within our union, staying engaged with the issues and changes that affect us all, including last year's dues referendum. As your President, I will work to strengthen Alberta’s voice nationally while bringing greater transparency and accountability to our union. Our industry is constantly evolving, and we must evolve with it while keeping performers at the forefront. I am passionate about this industry and committed to leaving it stronger for future generations of ACTRA members. I encourage you to engage, vote, and ask questions about ACTRA—locally and nationally—as I do. “Change Nothing & Nothing Changes”

VICE-PRESIDENT – NORTHERN ALBERTA

Chantal Perron
VICE-PRESIDENT – NORTHERN ALBERTA

Chantal Perron

Chantal Perron for Vice President NORTH “Change Nothing & Nothing Changes” I’m running for ACTRA Alberta VP North because this community matters deeply to me. I’ve spent my career as a performer and educator. All of my credits are from Alberta shot productions. I have collaborated with thousands of our colleagues from all disciplines. My life has been enriched by the talent, determination and resilience of Alberta’s performers. I want to pay that back by bringing my passion for our industry, to the work of our union and serving our membership. I believe in “showing up”, listening, asking questions, and making sure members feel heard, appreciated and represented in shaping our future. I want to build a stronger, more connected and transparent ACTRA Alberta - one that supports our members, champions our work, and strives to ensure Alberta performers have a safe work environment. I believe in accountability, full transparency, and that open consultation comes before decisions are made. My name is Chantal Perron. I would like your vote to be our new VP North under the leadership of Guy Bews as President. “Change Nothing & Nothing Changes”
Kristen Welker
VICE-PRESIDENT – NORTHERN ALBERTA

Kristen Welker

I’m Kristen J Welker and I’d love to be able to represent Edmonton and Northern Alberta as your ACTRA VP North. I’ve been a member of council for over a decade. I’ve represented Albertan actors as a National Councilor, a member of National Executive, and now as the ACTRA VP in the location other than the president. This means that I attend the National Council meetings as an observer (unable to vote, but generally able to participate in discussion and to report back to Alberta council). Over the years I’ve learned some important lessons- including the importance of creating a space for people to give their feedback about union business. An email address and an expectation that members will reach out isn’t enough. Moving into 2027, I’m hoping to have more “town hall” style meetings to create a venue for members to bring concerns to council and to hear and provide feedback about upcoming issues. Additionally, I’d like to begin filming some brief videos to clarify union governance structure and give updates about issues members may be interested in. I’d appreciate your vote in this upcoming council election.

VICE-PRESIDENT – SOUTHERN ALBERTA

Chad Rook
VICE-PRESIDENT – SOUTHERN ALBERTA

Chad Rook

With more than 27 years of experience as a professional actor/director/writer and currently serving as Vice President of ACTRA Alberta South, I am seeking re-election because I believe our province is at an important turning point. Alberta has incredible talent. Our actors, stunt performers, and crews deserve to stand alongside Vancouver and Toronto in the national and international spotlight. To get there, however, we must be willing to evolve, challenge old ways of thinking, and move our industry forward. I believe Alberta needs a stronger voice and the ability to make decisions based on what is best for OUR members and OUR province. We are a unique market with our own challenges, opportunities, and enormous potential. We should be building an industry where Alberta performers can create sustainable careers without feeling they must leave the province to succeed. I want to continue advocating for our members, strengthening relationships with producers, attracting more productions, and ensuring Calgary and Alberta talent are seen, heard, and respected. We cannot build the future by remaining stuck in the past. It is time to embrace change, create new opportunities, and make Alberta impossible to overlook.

TREASURER

Kevin D Moriarity
TREASURER

Kevin D Moriarity

I am running for ACTRA Alberta Treasurer. I feel that as the collective team we have a great opportunity to build the Alberta Film industry. While it is our responsibility to protect the rights of our actors, it is also our job as leaders to help them grow and succeed in this industry. With the right guidance Alberta can be a driving force for positive change. I have recently suffered serious injuries from a motorcycle accident and I am unable to make a video statement. I am happy to talk to any members with questions anytime!
Stuart Bentley
TREASURER

Stuart Bentley

As a full member of ACTRA member for five years (and an apprentice for a few years before that), I rely on the union to protect me on set and after production wraps. I have served in many positions, from member at large up to president, on the boards of two community theatre companies in Calgary. In my current board service, on top of serving as president, and chairing the casino and fundraising operations for the Scorpio Theatre Society, I have assisted the treasurer in learning the software and bookkeeping procedures for the Society. I am computer savvy and used to work in IT Technical Support for a major law firm and for SAIT. These skills would no doubt be of use in learning the technical aspects of the role of Treasurer. I look forward to serving on the ACTRA Alberta board on behalf of the Alberta members who have always relied on the continued good stewardship of our union.

SECRETARY

Faith Louissaint
SECRETARY

Faith Louissaint

I've been the Alberta secretary for the last several years. What I can say is that I'm highly organized and I enjoy pulling everyone's thoughts and ideas into a centralized document. I also enjoy attending Union meetings because I'm always eager to hear about what projects are coming down the pipe, what issues are being resolved on set and how we are making a difference for actors in Alberta. I've always been grateful for the opportunity to help out, hopefully this opportunity will continue

MEMBER-AT-LARGE – STUNT

Leslie McMichael, PhD
MEMBER-AT-LARGE – STUNT

Leslie McMichael, PhD

I'd like to throw my hat in the ring for ACTRA Alberta’s Stunt Member at Large. I have worked as a professional stunt performer since 1996 and as a stunt coordinator since 2015. Over nearly three decades in Alberta’s film and television industry, I have watched our community grow, adapt and face significant changes. I understand both the opportunities available to stunt performers and the challenges unique to our work. Safety, professionalism, fair opportunities and respect for stunt performers are extremely important to me. I want to ensure that the perspectives of stunt performers and coordinators are represented when decisions affecting our membership are discussed. I also believe strongly in supporting the next generation of Alberta stunt performers while recognizing the knowledge and experience of those who have helped build our industry. A healthy stunt community should provide opportunities for people to develop their skills, build sustainable careers and work in environments where safety and professionalism remain paramount. It would be an honour to represent Alberta’s stunt community on ACTRA Council, listen to members’ concerns, advocate on their behalf and help strengthen the future of our profession in this province.

MEMBER-AT-LARGE – NORTHERN ALBERTA

Starlise Waschuk
MEMBER-AT-LARGE – NORTHERN ALBERTA

Starlise Waschuk

I am running for Member-at-Large because I am curious about our union and excited to learn more about how it works—and what a great way to learn while being there for my fellow actors and our community. I moved back to Alberta after a decade of pursuing our industry, training with incredible acting teachers, producing plays and short films, and teaching acting in British Columbia. I was on student council throughout high school, where I discovered how satisfying it is to listen to people’s requests and turn them into actionable items. Like acting, I believe being on a board requires communication, listening, and then—“doing the thing.” More recently, I served as Co-Artistic Director of Prime Stock Theatre, where we produced seven shows in two years. That experience strengthened my leadership, collaboration, problem-solving, and organizational skills. I love being a leader and my true north for a good leader is one that listens to the group. My mentor Patsy Rodenburg taught me that the group is greater than the individual, while still recognizing that every individual matters. It would be an honour to bring my curiosity, energy, and willingness to contribute to this role for the next two years.

MEMBER-AT-LARGE – SOUTHERN ALBERTA

Shawna McGill-Legault
MEMBER-AT-LARGE – SOUTHERN ALBERTA

Shawna McGill-Legault

I am grateful for the opportunity to put my name forward and to continue serving our members. Advocacy for minors is especially important to me. Young performers deserve safe, respectful workplaces, and families should feel informed and supported as they navigate our industry. Intimacy, consent, and performer boundaries are also areas I care deeply about, and I hope to continue helping members better understand their rights and feel confident advocating for themselves. I currently serve on ACTRA’s National AI Task Force, where I am proud to contribute to the important conversations happening around artificial intelligence and the future of performers’ work. I also have a strong interest in member education. I would love to help create more accessible opportunities for members to better understand our agreements, protections, resources, and how our union works at both the Branch and National levels. Most of all, I want to continue listening, learning, and contributing wherever I can to help build an informed, engaged, and connected membership.

MEMBER-AT-LARGE

Bernadette Janssen
MEMBER-AT-LARGE

Bernadette Janssen

Hello to my fellow ACTRA members! I'm Bernadette (Bernie) Janssen, and I'm running for Member-at-Large on your next ACTRA Alberta Council. I've been a proud and active ACTRA member for several years. I've stayed engaged with our union by attending AGMs, participating in both provincial and national information calls when made available to members, consistently voting, attending member events, and more recently joining this year's ACTRA Awards Committee. I'm a strong supporter of independent film, and outside of performing, have been involved in our indie community by supporting many of our members’ projects over the years, as well as attending screenings, events, and local festivals put on by our members. I would welcome the opportunity to further support our membership by representing you at the council table. I bring an open mind, a collaborative spirit, and a commitment to exploring new ideas that will help strengthen and grow our industry as Alberta continues to evolve as a production hub. Thank you for your consideration, and thank you to all past council members for the work they’ve done over the years.
Sally Bishop
MEMBER-AT-LARGE

Sally Bishop

Hi I'm Sally Bishop and I am running for Member at Large. I have been a member of council for 8 years as the Stunt Member at Large, and am looking to continue on council as I think it is important to have a voice and to make it heard in supporting our fellow members. As an ACTRA member with 20 plus years in the industry, I bring personal experience to the table.

Duties of Council Members

The President / National Councillor shall Chair the meetings of the Council and of the General Membership of the Branch and shall conduct the meetings in accordance with the current edition of Bourinot’s Rules of Order (“Rules of Order”). The President / National Councillor shall have the general and active management of the Branch and shall ensure that all orders and resolutions of the membership and of the Council are put into effect. In the role of National Councillor, the individual sits on the National Council acting as a representative of the Branch Council and shall perform such duties as the Council and the National Council may prescribe. This position demands a significant time commitment, which can vary based on the needs and requirements of the Branch and National Council.  The total number of meetings attended in a year (both in person and electronically) can number in the dozens. 

The Vice-President(s) shall have the powers and duties of the President in the event that the President is unable to perform his/her duties. The Vice-President(s) shall also perform such functions as may from time to time be delegated by the President, or as may from time to time be prescribed by the Council. The Vice President who resides in a location which is not the same as the President / National Councillor, they may participate as an observer at ACTRA National Council meetings (subject to approval by the National President). Any related costs or expenses will be covered by the Branch. Clarity note: If the President / National Councillor is from Southern Alberta, the Vice President from Northern Alberta would have the opportunity to observe National Council meetings.

The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping accurate minutes of all meetings of the Council, and all meetings of the General Membership of the Branch. The Secretary shall also perform such other duties as the Council may prescribe from time to time. The Secretary shall work co-operatively with the Branch Representative in all areas where the Branch Representative is involved with matters pertinent to the Branch.

The Treasurer shall work co-operatively with the Branch Representative in all areas concerning the property and monies of the Branch and the Treasurer shall act as a financial signing officer thereof. The Treasurer shall prepare and present a financial statement in co-operation with the Branch Representative to the Council as often as required. The Treasurer shall also perform such other duties as the Council may from time to time prescribe. The Treasurer shall work co-operatively in all areas where the Branch Representative is involved with matters pertinent to the Branch.

Stunt Member-At-Large is responsible for regular Stunt Committee meetings, must participate in at the National Stunt Committee meeting in Toronto and is required to have 200 or more stunt contracts.

Members-At-Large shall perform such duties as the Council may from time to time prescribe. Members-At-Large shall work co-operatively with the Branch Representative in the areas where the Branch Representative is involved with matters pertinent to the Branch.

Councillors serve as union ambassadors and are responsible for engaging in ACTRA initiatives and campaigns as part of their leadership duties.  It is the responsibility of all members of Council to participate in both regional and national initiatives to champion union objectives, including social media promotion. Members of Council are expected to actively support and promote ACTRA’s communications strategy and key messages.