Warning message

Please note that this page is from our archives. There may be more up-to-date content about this topic on our website. Use our search engine to find out.

Canada’s largest union will be holding its 2007 biennial national convention in Toronto from October 15 – 19 (inclusively).

Listed below are some of the highlights of the convention:

  1. Monday, October 15: Mayor of Toronto David Miller will address the delegates at 9:30 a.m. He will speak about the urgent infrastructure need cities in Canada are facing. Following Mayor Miller, CUPE National President Paul Moist will recap the struggles CUPE has fought over the past two years, and outline the challenges CUPE and it’s 560,000 members expect to face in delivering public services during the upcoming two years.

  2. Tuesday, October 16: Native activist, singer and songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie will address delegates at 9:00 a.m. Ms Sainte-Marie is an outspoken activist that has committed both her time and resources to improving the lives of native peoples. Following Ms Sainte-Marie, CUPE delegates will begin discussion and debate on CUPE’s strategic directions document. This document will become the CUPE’s action blueprint for the next two years. The strategic directions document will focus on issues pertaining to privatization of public services, climate change, and international solidarity.

    Paul Moist, CUPE national president and Claude Généreux, national secretary-treasurer will be available for comment following the reading of the Throne Speech.

  3. Wednesday, October 17: Locked out Journal de Québec workers will address delegates at 11:30 a.m. The Journal de Québec is part of the Sun Media chain – its workers have been locked out since April 2007. The lock out at The Journal de Québec is the latest volley in the media convergence struggle that is unfolding across the country.

    It is also the International day for the eradication of poverty. CUPE will hold a rally in support of the day at noon hour. Public services have been proven time and again to be poverty busters. Now more than ever both nationally and globally we must defend public services.

    Wednesday morning the election of CUPE national officers will take place.

  4. Thursday, October 18: Discussion and debate continues on CUPE’s strategic directions document. Delegates will debate and discuss initiatives to address climate change and its impact on the delivery of services. Also delegates will discuss privatization at the global level and CUPE’s work at the international level.

  5. Friday, October 19: NDP leader Jack Layton will address the delegates and gives us a hint of what to expect from the floor of the House of Commons following Tuesday’s Throne speech.

    CUPE National Convention will adjourn.

- 30 -

For more information contact:

Sébatien Goulet, CUPE Communications, 613-808-0675 (cell)
Wendy Forbes, CUPE Communications, 416 – 892-87116 (cell)
Catherine Louli, CUPE Communications, 613-851-0547 (cell) until October 16

:cc/cope491