“Spotlight on…” is an interview series designed to help you get to know our members on a more personal level. Featured across both our website and Instagram, each edition highlights a different individual. This times, we are excited to introduce Marie Kelly, Vice President of the Federation.
Tell us about yourself.
I’m a lifelong trade unionist and labour lawyer who’s spent my entire career fighting for workers. I believe deeply in the power of solidarity – in the strength that comes when workers stand together and take collective action. My passion has always been collective bargaining. I love the strategy and precision it demands – it’s like a game of chess – and it’s one of the few moments every few years when we truly get to shape the working lives and livelihoods of our members.
Our union, ACTRA, represents 30,000 performers across Canada who work in recorded media. I’m proud to serve as Vice-President of FIA and as a member of the Presidium’s Executive Committee.
What made you want to do this job, and how did you first get involved in your union?
I grew up in a working-class family where politics and labour rights were regular topics around the dinner table. You could say I was raised to fight – and I picked my side early on.
I’ve worked in the labour movement for 30+ years, and every lesson I’ve learned along the way has prepared me for this work with ACTRA. Performers are among the most precarious and under-protected workers in our economy. I wanted to use my experience and skills to stand up for them – to help ensure that their voices are heard and their rights are respected.
Tell us about a movie or show that changed your life.
One of the beautiful things about performers’ work is its impact. A great film or show can reach right into your heart and stir something profound. I’ve been moved and inspired by so many performances over the years that it’s impossible to choose just one. Each story leaves a mark in its own way.
What are your dreams and hopes for performers worldwide?
I dream of a world where performers can focus solely on their craft – giving their best performances without fear of being replaced by AI, or forced to work under unsafe or exploitative conditions.
That future depends on ensuring performers everywhere have strong legislative protections – rights designed to reflect the unique and precarious nature of their work. Every performer, in every country, deserves the same dignity and security as any other worker.
As Vice-President of FIA, what is your priority?
For me, it’s all about building power – and power comes from knowledge. I want every FIA affiliate to have the tools, insights, and resources to make the most of their efforts at home. The more we share, the stronger we all become.
Unions with greater protections and bargaining power have so much to offer others, and my goal is to foster that collaboration. I also want to help instill hope – a belief within FIA that we can imagine and create a better world for performers, and that together, we have the power to make it real.
Give us one example of how FIA’s work has improved the working conditions of performers in your country.
There are countless examples, but one that stands out is the exchange of information between FIA affiliates in the commercial sector. That collaboration was critical in shaping our strategy during ACTRA’s NCA lockout.
The insights shared by our international colleagues helped us avoid missteps and strengthen our approach. As a result, we’ve regained roughly half of our commercial work – and we continue to fight for the rest. That knowledge-sharing, rooted in solidarity, gave us a real fighting chance.
If you had to describe FIA in one word, what would it be?
Unifying. It weaves us together – our struggles, our victories, and our shared strength.
