Our National Executive Board met in Ottawa from June 17 – 19, 2025. These are the highlights of their deliberations and decisions.
In Memory
The National Executive Board observed a minute of silence to reflect upon the loss of members of our CUPE family. Remembered were: Miguel Escalante Ledesma, CUPE 1000, workplace fatality; Nabil El-Ahmed, CUPE 5167, workplace fatality; Steve Migliarese, CUPE 374; Scott Steele, CUPE 2316; Tracy Ford, CUPE 2316; Erin Bourke, CUPE 3253; Michael Fortier, CUPE 4705; Daniel Légère, former CUPE General Vice President; Walberto Quintero Medina, CUT VP and executive member of Sinal Trainal; Basil “Buzz” Hargrove, former President of Canadian Auto Workers.
National Indigenous Peoples Day
In recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day, the Board participated in a smudge lead by Diversity Vice President Debra Merrier, who also led a discussion on the history and importance of National Indigenous Peoples Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
2025 National Convention
The Board discussed the upcoming National Convention, being held in Toronto from October 6-10, 2025.
The deadline for chartered organizations to submit resolutions and constitutional amendments is fast approaching! They must be received at national office no later than July 8. This is also the deadline for nominations for CUPE’s national awards. More information about convention, the awards, and how to draft and submit resolutions and amendments can be found here. Watch your inbox for the official convention call, with credentials, which will be sent in July.
New Regional Vice Presidents
Following the resignation from the Board in March of Mike Tobin, and in keeping with the National Constitution, Stacey Lucas was duly elected and sworn in as the new Regional Vice President representing Newfoundland and Labrador. The Board welcomed Stacey in this new capacity and wished Mike well in his next endeavours.
Following the resignation from the Board in April of Rory Gill, and in keeping with the National Constitution, Raj Uppal was duly elected and sworn in as the new Regional Vice President representing Alberta, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. The Board welcomed Raj in this new capacity and wished Rory well in his next endeavours.
Following the resignation from the Board in May of Richard Delisle, and in keeping with the National Constitution, Hugo Tessier was duly elected and sworn in as the new Regional Vice President representing Quebec. The Board welcomed Hugo in this new capacity and wished Richard well in his next endeavours.
Trial Panelists
The NEB approved the appointment of 31 members from across the country to serve on regional trial panels, in accordance with Appendix F of the National Constitution.
Global Justice Fund
The Annual General Meeting of CUPE’s Global Justice Fund was held on June 18, 2025. The meeting adopted the 2024 financial statements and approved the renewal of 13 projects at a total cost of $183,000.
These projects are sponsored by the Fund and individual CUPE locals and divisions and are undertaken in partnership with workers’ and women’s organizations in countries around the world, including Burma, Central America, Columbia, Cuba, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Palestine, and the Philippines.
2024 Audited Financial Statements
Deloitte, our external auditing firm, presented the 2024 audited financial statements for our General Fund, our National Strike Fund and our National Defence Fund. All three funds were found to be in strong, stable shape. CUPE’s accounting and administrative systems were found to exceed the standard requirements. CUPE’s 2024 audited financial statements can be found here.
Trustees’ Report
CUPE’s National Trustees (Donna Van Kroonenburg, David Tremblay, Christian Trudeau, Bob Guenther and Talitha Dekker) completed their 2024 Report of CUPE’s finances, which was presented to the Board. They found the union’s finances to be in good order, and they did not have any new recommendations for improvement. The Trustees congratulated the National Officers on their efforts over the past year.
Financial Support
The National Executive Board approved 38 cost-shared campaign requests totaling $2,420,272.76 and five requests for legal and arbitration support totaling $385,000.00.
National Disaster Relief Fund
The National Executive Board authorized the allocation of $50,000 from the National Disaster Relief Fund and an additional $50,000 donation, for a total of $100,000, to support emergency response efforts related to the ongoing wildfires affecting communities in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, to be distributed as follows:
- $50,000 to the Saskatchewan Wildfires Appeal of the Canadian Red Cross;
- $35,000 to the Manitoba Wildfires Appeal of the Canadian Red Cross;
- $5,000 to each of the following organizations:
- Southern Chiefs’ Organization
- Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
- Manitoba Métis Federation
The National Executive Board extends their sincere thoughts and solidarity to all who have been affected by the devasting wildfires.
Humanitarian Support
The National Executive Board approved a $100,000 donation to MSF Canada (Doctors Without Borders) to support critical hospitals and health care services in Gaza and the West Bank. Israel’s assaults on Palestine, especially in Gaza, have resulted in tens of thousands of fatalities, injuries, and severe hardship, with children being particularly affected. The attacks on Gaza have severely impacted civilians, targeted health care workers, and overwhelmed the health care system. MSF directly supports the delivery of critical medical aid where it is most desperately needed and under the most challenging circumstances and they stand in solidarity with health care workers and patients facing extreme conditions and limited access to essential care.