CUPE Ontario to hold press conference ahead of 2026 pre-budget consultations

President Fred Hahn will speak to the harm and growing inequities caused by the Conservative government’s budgetary policies and outline the clear demands Ontario’s largest union is making to change course.

NIAGARA FALLS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fred Hahn, president of CUPE Ontario, will speak Thursday before the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs as part of the 2026 pre-budget consultations. CUPE Ontario will hold a press conference at 12:15 p.m. in advance.

With more than 300,000 members, CUPE Ontario is the province's largest union.

A significant number of these workers are employed in social services, including developmental services, child welfare, child care, community health centres and safe consumption sites.

“These workers - often the lowest-paid women and often racialized women - who serve Ontario’s most vulnerable have been deliberately targeted and devalued by Premier Doug Ford’s government,” Hahn said. “Make no mistake: these are deliberate choices to cut funding and supports for those who need it most.”

“Budgets are about choices. They are about priorities. So far, the Ford Conservatives’ priorities have been tax cuts for the wealthy, big spending on advertising and no real help with affordability — alongside cuts to public services,” he said. “This direction is bad for people, bad for Niagara and bad for the wider economy. The people of Ontario desperately need this government to change course in the upcoming budget.”

Joining CUPE Ontario will be NDP MPP Wayne Gates and Rory Bourgeois, president of CUPE Local 150, which represents outside municipal workers in St. Catharines, including workers who would be affected by the privatization of Niagara’s water system.

Following the statements, speakers will be available for questions and interviews.

Who:
Fred Hahn, president, CUPE Ontario
Rory Bourgeois, president, CUPE Local 150

What:
Press conference and committee presentation

When:
Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026
Press conference: 12:15 p.m.
Committee presentation: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Where:
Great Room B
DoubleTree by Hilton Fallsview Resort & Spa
6039 Fallsview Blvd.
Niagara Falls, Ont. L2G 3V6