All our members affected by the cancellation of their tours, shows, and festivals appearances should bear in mind the existence of the Unison Benevolent Fund, a non-profit organization that provides counselling and emergency relief services to the Canadian music community. Unison is there to help you during financial or psychological hardships.
Professionals in the music industry have access to very few services during a crisis like the one we’re experiencing now, or simply during a time of financial or health crisis. They can easily find themselves unprepared to deal with the financial and emotional burdens of an unforeseen emergency or illness, such as COVID-19. That’s why the Unison Benevolent Fund offers financial assistance programs, counselling services, and healthcare solutions created and administered by the music community, for the music community.
SOCAN’s Chief of Québec Affairs and Visual Arts, Geneviève Côté, reminds us of the importance of initiatives such as tUnison, and how it is important that we support them during crises such as this one:
“We’re going through challenging times for the freelancers who are a majority of our members, as well as for the entrepreneurs that are our publisher members,” says Côté. “Concert cancellations, that have become necessary to flatten the curve, put many members of the ecosystem at risk, financially as well as mental health-wise. Unison is there for all the members of the ecosystem, whether they’re musicians, sound technicians, publicists, promoters, agents, managers, bookers… It’s efficient and it’s confidential. And those of us who are fortunate enough to have a salaried position should remember to make a donation. Every dollar matters.”
The Unison Benevolent Fund also offers insurance programs adapted to your needs. Visit Unison’s website to find out about all of the precious resources it has to offer.
If you’re a Canadian musician or music industry professional need help immediately because of the COVID-19 crisis, call the emergency helpline at 1-855-986-4766.
To register with Unison, click here!
To find out more about the financial assistance program, click here!
To find out more about the counselling and healthcare solutions, click here!
To make a donation to Unison, click here!
Above all, stay safe, and take good care of yourself.