Our National Executive Board met in Ottawa March 10-12, 2026. 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: Richard Anstett, CUPE 79; Rhonda Akan, CUPE 3766; Rodney Winsor, CUPE 1349; Maciej (Matthew) Zawadski, CUPE 1870; Joanne McMullan, CUPE 2020; Walter Kornacki, CUPE 122; Anne Patridge, CUPE 87; Neil Harris, CUPE 84; Joan MacNeil, retired staff; Johnny Piszar, retired staff; Elsie Doris Dixon, retired staff; Colin Lambert, retired staff; Joel Duff, fraternal, Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation.
Financial Support
The National Executive Board approved 45 cost-shared campaign requests totaling $2,283,253.37, 14 requests for legal and arbitration support totaling $458,000, and three requests for legal support through the strike fund to preserve collective bargaining rights totalling $150,000.
Canadian Labour Congress – Political Action in Alberta
The National Executive Board passed a motion to provide a financial contribution of $500,000 to fight back against the United Conservative Party government of Danielle Smith, and to ensure there is a political price to pay for her decision to invoke the Constitution’s notwithstanding clause to force an end to the strike of the Alberta Teachers’ Federation on October 28, 2025.
Trial Panelists
The National Executive Board approved the re-appointment of 68 members from across the country to serve on regional trial panels, in accordance with Appendix F of the National Constitution.
Significant Court Challenges
The Board received an update on a number of significant court cases CUPE is a party to, challenging the constitutionality of government legislation that impacts our members. These legislative attacks on our collective rights include the use of Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to end strikes and lockouts at Air Canada and at the ports of Montreal and Quebec City; legislation imposing changes to pension plans in New Brunswick; legislation restricting our bargaining rights in New Brunswick and Quebec; legislation restricting our rights as a union in Alberta; and legislation pre-emptively invoking the notwithstanding clause of the Charter to prohibit transgender students from using their chosen names and pronouns in Saskatchewan.
Of particular note was the February 28 decision of the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal declaring the provincial government’s 2015 wage-restraint legislation (Bill 148) unconstitutional and of no force and effect. The court remitted the question of remedy to the parties and reserved jurisdiction should they be unable to resolve the issue.
While the court process can be slow and often involves appeals, it is vitally important that we continue to protect our rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Visit of the CLC Candidates from Unite 2026
The National Executive Board had the privilege of meeting with the Canadian Labour Congress candidates from the Unite 2026 slate. The re-offering candidates include Bea Bruske for President, Siobhán Vipond for Executive Vice-President, and Lily Chang for Secretary-Treasurer. They were joined by Marc‑Édouard Joubert, who will be running for Executive Vice-President following the retirement of Larry Rousseau. After meeting with the candidates and discussing their vision for the labour movement, the National Executive Board voted to endorse this slate.
The election will take place during the Canadian Labour Congress convention which is being held in Winnipeg from May 11-15, 2026.
