VANCOUVER— While a far-right federal government was avoided, CUPE National Secretary Treasurer Candace Rennick said Canada’s largest union must be ready to keep taking on anti-worker policies.
“We can’t leave the Liberals unchecked,” said Rennick in her report to CUPE BC’s 2025 convention. “We can’t wait for the next federal election to change the course of government. We must be smart and strategic and organize a massive, coordinated push. Not alone, but hand in hand with other unions and Canada’s social movements.”
With threats to workers looming across Canada, and from across the border, Rennick told almost 500 convention delegates, that CUPE must continue to work with other unions to support a diminished, but still crucial NDP opposition caucus.
“It is the only way we will get more affordable housing built. It’s the only way we will improve dental care, pharmacare and child care, and increase federal transfers for hospitals, long term care and home care,” said Rennick, who has served as National Secretary Treasurer since 2021. “It is the only way we can truly protect Canada from Donald Trump and build a just and equitable economy that serves and feeds people, not corporations.”
Rennick told convention delegates that they were critical to this work, and that CUPE’s power to help workers starts at the local level.
“You are all key, because you are closest to the members. You know their issues. You know their fears. You are in the best position to get them on-side with campaigns to build worker power, and better public services, and to motivate them to act collectively for the greater good,” said Rennick, who assured delegates they could depend on CUPE’s 2025 budget to back them up.
“Today our union is stronger than ever, and we will get stronger. And we have the resources to do even more in the year ahead,” said Rennick. “Let’s think and act boldly. Let’s stand united as a union, and in coalition with our allies. Because when we work together, in solidarity with others, when we are bold and brave and united and strategic, that’s when we win.”
