IATSE Statement on the Future of the Michael J. Fox Theatre in Burnaby, British Columbia

April 16 2026 - Burnaby, BC [[ Original Post ]] 

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) is calling out the City of Burnaby for its failure to act to preserve the Michael J. Fox Theatre, a vital cultural venue and source of good union jobs that now faces closure at the end of June.

Petition to Save the Michael J Fox Theatre - 
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In March, the theatre technicians at the Michael J. Fox Theatre unanimously voted to join IATSE Local 118, securing a collective voice at work and committing to a future at the venue. Weeks later, the workers learned through back-channel communications that the theatre is slated to cease operations on June 30. On April 13, all employees were issued an eleven-week working notice.

What has become increasingly clear is that this outcome was not inevitable. Over the past year, the City of Burnaby had opportunities to step in, take over management of the theatre, and protect both the venue and the skilled workers who make it run. Those opportunities were missed.

The workers were left in the dark. The union was not meaningfully engaged. And a public cultural asset now stands on the brink of being shuttered.

“We have to save the Michael J. Fox Theatre,” said IATSE International Vice President Damian Petti. “The workers did nothing wrong. What is failing here is leadership and a desire to protect the arts and culture in Burnaby.”

The Michael J. Fox Theatre has long served the Burnaby community as a home for live performance, student programming, and public events. Behind every show are trained theatre technicians who ensure safety, accessibility, and professional standards. These are not replaceable jobs, and this is not a disposable venue.

IATSE believes the closure of the Michael J. Fox Theatre is a choice, not a necessity. Even now, solutions remain possible if elected leaders are willing to step up and take responsibility for protecting cultural infrastructure and the workers who sustain it.

The union will continue to exhaust all possible actions to challenge this outcome and to fight for the technicians of IATSE Local 118. We are urging Burnaby City Council to reconsider its inaction, engage transparently, and commit to keeping the Michael J. Fox Theatre open and operating for the community it serves.

If you would like to support the campaign to save the Michael J Fox Theatre and protect union jobs, visit SaveTheMJFTheatre.ca and sign the petition. Organizations wishing to support should contact International Representative William Gladman at wgladman@iatse.net.

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees or IATSE (full name: International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada), is a labor union representing over 170,000 technicians, artisans and craftspersons in the entertainment industry, including live events, motion picture and television production, broadcast, and trade shows in the United States and Canada.

For more information please contact:
General: comms@iatse.net
Press: press@iatse.net