Top brass at the Toronto International Film Festival have urged visitors to get their travel arrangements in order as soon as possible in light of the ongoing strike by Canadian foreign office workers.

Industrial action has been in effect at Canadian visa processing centres at 15 embassies and consulates around the world including London, Paris, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Mexico City.

Staff have been on strike for four months as they seek equal pay with other federal government employees.

“We’re aware of the situation and, as always, we are recommending that our guests apply for their visas as early as possible,” said TIFF vp of communications and content management Jennifer Bell.

TIFF is scheduled to run from Sept 5-15.