According to a recent study by the Writers Guild of Canada (WGC), less than 35 percent of industry jobs in 2022 were awarded to diverse writers. The study also found that the percentage of TV series jobs going to writers of color decreased from 24 percent in the previous year to 16 percent in 2022, as highlighted in the WGC’s latest diversity and inclusion report.
While the number of WGC members identifying as diverse and working has steadily increased from 21 percent in 2018 to 38 percent in 2022, the report indicates that the overall industry-wide representation of diverse writers remains low. Only 35 percent of writing jobs across the industry were given to diverse members in 2022, with non-diverse writers being more likely to secure multiple TV gigs, such as being part of a story room or being selected to write a pilot.
This decline in representation is concerning, as the percentage of jobs going to diverse writers dropped from 41 percent in 2021. The WGC report states that representation levels either decreased or remained stagnant for various diverse groups throughout 2022.
The Canadian entertainment industry has been striving for more diverse and inclusive storytelling, aiming to provide new opportunities for creators from underrepresented communities. This effort has resulted in the success of TV shows like CBC’s “Sort Of” and Global’s “Robyn Hood,” which reimagines the legend of Robin Hood in an action drama series.
Unfortunately, setbacks have been observed in other areas of the Canadian industry as well. The Women in View’s On Screen 2023 report reveals that black women, Indigenous women, and women of color have faced challenges in finding work and leadership roles in the Canadian film and TV production sector. Despite commitments from local film and TV funders to promote diversity and inclusion on sets, progress in achieving greater racial representation in hiring practices has been limited.
The WGC’s 2023 report analyzed 87 local TV series produced in 2022, including animated projects, as well as an additional 368 series shot between 2018 and 2021. The study found that despite the efforts of broadcasters and funders, diverse screenwriters continue to face limited work opportunities. Barriers such as the impact of mini-rooms and the struggle for mid-level diverse screenwriters to secure senior roles in writers’ rooms have hindered their progress.
The report concludes that many programs still fail to provide sufficient support for launching careers and helping writers establish themselves in the industry. This highlights the need for ongoing initiatives to drive greater diversity and inclusion on local film and TV sets, as the industry faces challenges and limited growth in this area.
