On behalf of its members, the WGC negotiates, administers and enforces collective agreements, setting out minimum rates, terms, and working conditions for all English-language productions in Canada.

Over time, writers also joined the organization, leading to its transformation into the Association of Canadian Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) in the following decade.

In 1984, the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) was formed to encompass other areas of the broadcasting industry.

[2] During the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, the WGC expressed its support for the WGA and urged its members not to accept work on struck projects.

Members of council and the national forum are elected from five regions (Atlantic, Quebec, Central, Western and Pacific), and serve two-year terms.