-

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

Contacts

For more information, contact:
Robert Murdoch
CUPE Communications
rmurdoch@cupe.ca
905-378-4183

Industry:

Canadian Union of Public Employees

Release Versions
English

Contacts

For more information, contact:
Robert Murdoch
CUPE Communications
rmurdoch@cupe.ca
905-378-4183

More News From Canadian Union of Public Employees

Long term care workers kept out as employers refuse to negotiate remaining issues to end strike

HALIFAX, NS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Employers of workers from Admiral and White Hills Long Term Care Centres, and Bay Side Home have forced hundreds of long term care workers back on strike this week over remaining local issues despite the tentative agreement reached on June 6. Represented by Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 1259 and CUPE 2007, workers halted their strike action following the tentative agreement reached at the lead bargaining table with the understanding that any remaining l...

One Week Into Strike, CUPE 2722 Calls on Oxfam Canada to Return to the Bargaining Table

OTTAWA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--One week after walking off the job, members of CUPE 2722 are renewing their call for Oxfam Canada to return to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair collective agreement that reflects the organization's stated values of equity, dignity, and social justice. The strike, which began on June 11, marks the first strike in the local's history. Outstanding issues include leave provisions for gender-affirming care, protections and supports for workers experiencing domestic...

Union: Health care workers deserve respect, not scam emails

ST. JOHN’S, NL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Canadian Union of Public Employees Newfoundland and Labrador (CUPE NL) is deeply concerned by NL Health’s use of a fake promise for an extra paid leave day during a cybersecurity test when health care workers are already stretched thin and continuously denied their leave requests. “While I understand that cybersecurity awareness is important, especially in a healthcare setting, targeting a benefit like paid time off is disgusting,” said CUPE Newfoundland and Lab...
Back to Newsroom