June 2 to 6, 2025
Ottawa, ON
Are you an experienced pension trustee or advisory committee member who is ready to upgrade your skills? Or are you about to move into a role as a pension trustee? CUPE’s 5-day training is just what you’ve been looking for!
Who is this training for?
This English-language only training is for CUPE pension trustees, board members or advisory committee members. You must currently be a trustee or member of an advisory committee or pension board to attend (or be moving into one of these positions in the near future).
The workshop is aimed at participants who have an understanding of fundamental concepts (e.g. fiduciary duty, going concern valuation, solvency valuation, discount rate, pension plan sponsor) but are looking to further develop their skills and deepen their analysis.
Who is leading it?
The training will be led by CUPE pension experts with presentations from legal, actuarial and investment professionals. It uses a participatory approach that includes practical exercises reflecting real-world challenges.
Participants will get a chance to meet other pension trustees and advisory committee members, and to share knowledge, tips, and strategies.
Participants will learn about:
- Current trends in pension policy and legislation
- Valuations, discount rates and actuarial trends
- Oversight of service providers
- Strong trustee accountability practices that strengthen union power
- Pension plan investing
- How to read technical reports common to trustee work
The training offers a union perspective that is often missing from industry training.
You will need a computer to participate and complete the work (Some tablets may be OK, but a computer is preferred).
Please note: the training is in English only.
Presenters
- Mark Janson, CUPE Research
- Kelly Sedore, CUPE Research
- Simon Archer, Lawyer, Goldblatt Partners
- Sam Clemente, Investment Consultant, Eckler Ltd.
- Nisha Singh, Partner, Senior Consultant, PBI Actuarial Consultants Ltd.
- Murray Gold, Counsel, Koskie Minsky
- Lesa MacDonald, Partner, Koskie Minsky
Application dates
Please submit your application using the online form, below. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 25, 2025.
Apply here: https://forms.office.com/r/M1KdcQuCdP
We will let successful applicants know by May 2. The deadline to fully register is May 9.
Fees
The registration fee for the workshop is $1,000. The fee covers the workshop, materials and lunches and coffee service. It does not cover lost wages, travel, hotel, or any other expenses.
We encourage you to ask your pension plan to sponsor your participation in this training. See our guide below to getting your plan to cover the cost.
For more information, contact Union Education (613) 237-1590 or education@cupe.ca
Ask your pension fund to cover the cost of CUPE’s trustee training
The role and responsibilities of pension trustees are complicated. That’s why pension funds commonly pay for trustee training, including training put on by unions. In fact, pension funds regularly pay for union trustees to attend CUPE pension training.
We encourage you to ask your pension plan to sponsor your participation in CUPE’s pension trustee training.
Top 6 reasons your pension fund should pay for your workshop fee:
- CUPE has the expertise and experience needed to train union members in pension issues and a range of other topics, including health and safety, human rights legislation, labour law and arbitration preparation. Our speciality is taking difficult, technical information and making it easier for non-experts to understand.
- CUPE’s union education programs are recognized by employers and used for professional development across the country. Examples include anti-bullying, conflict resolution, and harassment awareness workshops, and training sessions for education assistants.
- CUPE’s pension trustee training program has been recognized in Canada and the U.S. by academics and others who study pension education programs, including the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, and Harvard Law School.
- CUPE consults trustees and provides training tailored to meet their needs. The training is delivered by CUPE pension experts and by legal, actuarial and investment professionals who ensure it is high quality, current and relevant.
- Union members are often more comfortable learning in a union environment.
- CUPE’s trustee training provides excellent value for money. The quality of the training is high, but the cost is much lower than training from industry providers. Your registration fee is used to cover meeting costs, including venue rental, catering and the speaking fees of invited industry resource people.
CUPE encourages union trustees to work with their boards and committees to establish training policies. These policies should include funding to ensure union trustees can access the training they require, including training provided by the union.
Learning objectives and curriculum outline of our training can be provided if needed for funding approval. Please enquire.
Contact Union Education at education@cupe.ca with any questions and for any other information you need.