Hello,

Local government elections are coming to British Columbia in October 2026.

As part of our readiness plans, CUPE BC is partnering with the CLC to deliver one-day interactive workshops in communities around the province. The course, titled Building Worker Power Through Local Government, is a great introduction for members on the importance of local governments and how we, as workers, can have an impact on the upcoming elections. This course won’t be interesting to members who have already received extensive political action training at CUPE.

Any members that your Local would like to have registered can use this form to submit an application to attend.

CUPE BC and CUPE have set aside funds to cover the costs of several members to attend these trainings, but funds are limited. We will only be able to cover training expenses for a small number of members for each training session. Completing the above form does not guarantee that your member will be registered by CUPE BC. You will receive confirmation from Neal Adolph, Political Action Coordinator for CUPE, once the member has been registered for the training.

For those registered by CUPE BC, all costs, including book off, travel, accommodation (if necessary) and per diems will be covered as per CUPE BC’s Expense Policy.

If there is more interest in attending the course than there is CUPE BC funding available, Locals can register members through the CLC and directly cover their costs. Please contact Neal Adolph at nadolph@cupe.ca for CLC registration links.

Below is a description of this one-day course:

Building Worker Power Through Local Government is a one-day interactive workshop for union members who want to understand—and influence—local elections in BC this fall.

Participants will learn how municipalities and school districts work and why it’s crucial to elect worker-focused candidates.

Through hands-on activities and group discussion, workers will connect everyday experiences with issues like local budgets, public services, and privatization. Participants will leave with practical tools for engagement and a clearer sense of how to turn worker power into political power that shapes municipal and school district elections in the years to come.

Training will be taking place on the following dates in communities around the province:

• April 1 – Victoria
• April 8 – Kelowna
• April 9 – Kamloops
• April 17 – Nanaimo
• April 21 – Surrey
• April 22 – Vancouver
• April 24 – Comox
• June 1 – Prince George

CUPE BC is also working with the Region on developing a series of virtual Presidents’ Information Sessions, to take place in evenings this spring, with the aim of helping presidents and political activists in our union prepare for the coming elections. More information on this will be coming soon.

If you have any questions about any of the above programming, or if your Local needs any specific support to help you prepare for the upcoming local government elections, please do not hesitate to reach out to me through your National Rep.

In solidarity,

Neal Adolph | Political Action Coordinator (he/him)

Political Action Coordinator

Strong Communities Working Group

Canadian Union of Public Employees

NA:cc/cope491

Headquartered on the unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), Tsleil-Waututh and Qayqayt First Nations. CUPE BC acknowledges that the province of British Columbia is located on the homelands of 203 distinct Indigenous nations and cultures; with more than 30 different languages and close to 60 unique dialects spoken in the province. We ask all CUPE members to reflect, acknowledge and honour in their own way the First Nation land on which they live, work and play.