Candace Rennick, CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer

Candace Rennick was elected CUPE’s National Secretary-Treasurer at the union’s 30th National Convention, in November 2021.

Born and raised in Peterborough, Ontario, Candace Rennick has been a member of CUPE since she began working at a local long-term care facility when she was 16 years old. 

Becoming a local union steward and bargaining committee member at the age of 19, Candace was elected President of CUPE Local 2280 at 22, a position she held for seven years. she was first elected to the CUPE Ontario Executive Board in 2002, where she served four terms as a Vice-President.

In 2010, Candace made history when she was elected Secretary-Treasurer of CUPE Ontario becoming the first woman and the youngest person ever elected to the position.

Candace was also a Regional Vice-President on the CUPE National Executive Board, a position she held from 2003 to 2021. During that period she served on a number of national committees, and represented CUPE internationally with the union’s global partner, the Public Services International. 

As well, Candace is a member of the Canadian Council of the Canadian Labour Congress.