The PIPSC Board of Directors recently voted to redefine the boundaries of the Quebec and Ontario regions; a portion of Nunavut located East of the 80th meridian West to the Ontario region will be merged together to better reflect the geographic and linguistic diversity of our membership. 

Members whose work location is in Nunavut will now become part of and be invited to participate in Ontario region activities. PIPSC staff are working hard to implement this change as smoothly and efficiently as possible. 


What does this mean for members in Ontario? 

Ontario members will now be considered members of the Ontario and Nunavut Region. Ontario members will not be otherwise affected by this change in regional boundaries. 


What does this mean for members in Nunavut? 

Nunavut members will now be considered members of the Ontario and Nunavut Region. If your work location is in Nunavut and you were previously a member of the Quebec region: 

  • you will now be invited to participate in Ontario and Nunavut Region member events
  • new labour relations matters can be directed to a steward or Employment Relations Officer (ERO) within the Toronto Regional Office 
  • any existing labour relations files will continue to be represented by your ERO from the Montreal Regional Office

For more information about this change or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact: membership@pipsc.ca


For information about upcoming Ontario and Nunavut events, please contact: jpurdie@pipsc.c

On June 6, 2025, Bill C-5, An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act, was introduced in Parliament. It received Royal Assent on June 26, 2025. The review process for the Bill was accelerated and condensed. While there were no formal opportunities for PIPSC to provide input, we developed a position to encourage proper implementation and to highlight the significance of the legislation to Canadians and PIPSC members. 

PIPSC Supports CLC’s Proposed Amendments 

PIPSC endorses the Canadian Labour Congress's vision for Bill C-5 as a catalyst for internal trade and nation-building projects that create sustainable, well-paying union jobs across Canada. 

These investments could drive lasting economic benefits for workers and communities from coast to coast to coast.

We also support the CLC’s position of endorsing the following key amendments to the Bill:

  • rein in ministerial powers by implementing clear legislative guardrails and mandatory parliamentary oversight
  • clarify enforcement and accountability mechanisms tied to the five “national interest” criteria outlined in the Act
  • guarantee robust and enforceable commitments on labour standards, community benefit agreements, and equity provisions in national projects
  • enshrine the “Buy Canada” and “Buy Clean” models to ensure these projects drive domestic job creation and climate progress
  • guarantee a high-standard, rights-based consultative process with Indigenous peoples that includes free, prior, and informed consent.

These amendments were needed because the new legislation grants extraordinary discretionary powers to the responsible Minister and the Governor in Council without sufficient safeguards.

Indigenous consultation

The Assembly of First Nations and other Indigenous organizations raised fundamental concerns about Bill C-5's approach to Indigenous consultation. Their opposition centers on three critical issues: 

  • undermining constitutional and Treaty rights 
  • weakening the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate, and 
  • disregarding the principle of free, prior, and informed consent, as affirmed in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDRIP).

While UNDRIP is referenced in the legislation, it is not a mandatory or binding criterion. This level of discretionary power removes any obligation to prioritize Indigenous rights in decision-making. Additionally, by sidestepping foundational environmental laws, this further undermines Indigenous governance over lands and waters.

PIPSC believes the federal government should commit to a true nation-to-nation relationship, reconciliation, and fulfil its obligations under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

Environmental concerns

The Building Canada Act allows the government to fast-track projects by overriding various other Acts of Parliament. This includes environmental laws such as the Fisheries Act, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), the Species at Risk Act, and the Impact Assessment Act or the Canadian Navigable Waters Act, which can be circumvented if they oppose a new project of national importance. 

Our members at departments like Environment and Climate Change Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada dedicate their careers to protecting our air, water, forests, and fisheries. The current legislation threatens to bypass their expertise and the environmental laws they uphold. 

PIPSC is in favour of new national projects, but they must be environmentally sound and this goal must be outlined in the Act and existing environment laws must be enforced.

Role of the Public Sector

When taxpayers finance major national projects, the benefits must remain in Canadian hands. This principle goes beyond patriotic sentiment—it represents sound fiscal policy and strategic national planning.

Canadian ownership and control must be non-negotiable. Projects built with public funds cannot become foreign-owned assets that extract value from Canadian communities. We need explicit legislative protections against the foreign acquisition of infrastructure that Canadians have paid to build.

Federal civil servants should lead project administration and delivery. Our public service professionals bring unparalleled expertise, institutional knowledge, and unwavering commitment to Canadian interests. Unlike private contractors whose loyalty follows profit margins, federal employees are accountable to the public they serve.

Public ownership deserves serious consideration as the most effective safeguard against foreign takeover. When governments retain ownership stakes, they maintain control over strategic assets and ensure long-term benefits flow to Canadian communities rather than offshore shareholders.

Skilled government employees represent better value than expensive external contractors. Our federal workforce combines technical excellence with cost-effectiveness and democratic accountability. Choosing internal capacity over outsourcing keeps expertise in-house while delivering superior results for taxpayers.

Concerns from the Federal Regulators

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and Canadian Energy Regulator have special distinction under the proposed legislation. PIPSC represents the majority of unionized scientists and engineers at both these organizations. Whereas numerous pieces of legislation can be overridden to achieve authorization, projects covered by legislation that governs CNSC and CER require confirmation that certain criteria are met. For CNSC, the organization must confirm that the projects will not compromise the health or safety of persons, national security or the implementation of international obligations. CER must confirm that the project will not compromise the safety or security of persons or regulated facilities.

There is a great deal of uncertainty within those organizations about how this legislation will be implemented. There are concerns of increased pressure to approve more projects more quickly. It is unclear whether or not these organizations will be able to achieve the reviews on an accelerated timeline without compromising safety. These fears are worsened by internal staffing problems. Our members cite shortages, recruitment and retention issues. 

When industry needs personnel, it's often easier for them to poach trained professionals from the regulatory bodies with both industry experience and knowledge of the regulatory system. Legislative changes must be accompanied by investment to resolve the current staffing issues at CER and CNSC. 

Accountability, Democratic Oversight and Governance

PIPSC has serious concerns about how aggressively the Act was rushed through the House of Commons with little time for debate or discussion. 

We are also concerned that anything deemed a “national interest project” can be rushed through approval without properly accounting for existing legislation. This undermines the rule of law and raises concerns about the potential for unethical conduct.

Parliament has a duty to maintain a proper legislative process. This includes:

  • Meaningful public participation in project approval decisions
  • Rigorous review processes before adding projects to Schedule 1
  • Full stakeholder engagement rather than perfunctory consultation

The Path Forward

Bill C-5 represents an important opportunity to strengthen Canada's economic foundation while advancing reconciliation, environmental protection, and democratic governance. But opportunity alone is insufficient—we must get the implementation right.

PIPSC supports the CLC's proposed amendments to ensure this legislation delivers on its promise of building a stronger, more prosperous Canada that works for everyone.

The choice is clear: Implement the legislation based on the following amendments, or risk undermining the very goals this legislation seeks to achieve.

Canada deserves better. Canadians expect better. With the right implementation, Bill C-5 can deliver better.

UPDATE: On July 11, 2025 CRPEG members voted to ratify their tentative agreement. It provides meaningful economic increases and an upgraded benefits plan that hadn’t been changed for a quarter-century. #UnionStrong


We have good news! CRPEG has reached a tentative agreement with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories!

Just days ago, our nuclear scientists and engineers at Chalk River were on strike, fighting for fair compensation and the respect they deserve. Despite facing employer surveillance, intimidation tactics, anti-scab violations, and efforts to divide and undermine them, they remained strong and united – showing up for 5:00 AM picket lines, standing in solidarity through rotating strikes and work-to-rule actions, and placing trust in their bargaining and engagement teams. 

Today, they have a tentative deal that includes meaningful gains that seemed impossible just weeks ago.

CRPEG members on picket line

Your voice mattered

When we asked you to email Energy Minister Tim Hodgson about the CRPEG dispute, you answered the call. Over 1,300 PIPSC members like you took action, sending powerful messages demanding government intervention to support workers against a foreign-owned contractor eroding labour standards at our national nuclear facilities.

The impact was immediate and dramatic. That influx of emails from concerned Canadians resulted in Minister Hodgson’s chief of staff calling PIPSC President Sean O’Reilly, asking for 30 minutes of his time.

Your collective voice cut through the noise and got the attention of the highest levels of government. 


CRPEG members on picket line

Union Strong 

The CRPEG dispute shows us the power of unions, and what can be achieved when members are engaged and get involved in bargaining – stronger contracts, better outcomes, and the strength to stand up to intractable employers that try to divide us. Things that are impossible to achieve alone.

Collective labour action turns our shared frustrations into meaningful change, proving that solidarity isn't just powerful – it's essential.

To every member who sent an email, shared a post, or showed solidarity with CRPEG – thank you. Whether it's supporting striking members, contacting ministers, or standing up for worker rights in your own workplace – solidarity matters.

This is the power of organized labour. This is what solidarity looks like. This is what we can achieve together.

Keep an eye out for more opportunities to take action on our issues. When we ask for your voice again, remember this moment – remember that your action makes a real difference in the lives of working people across Canada.

CRPEG members on picket line

Join us in standing with striking Chalk River Professional Employees Group (CRPEG) members at a pivotal moment in their negotiations with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL). 

We need your help to win CRPEG members the collective agreement they deserve! 

Here’s how you can help: 

Join the rally in Ottawa

Join us for our rally to tell the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources that our CRPEG members deserve a fair deal. RSVP below! 

What: Rally with us and enjoy free refreshments

When: Thursday, June 26, from noon to 1:00 PM 

Where: NRCan Headquarters, located at 580 Booth Street, Ottawa, Ontario

Spread the word on social media

Help us spread the word on social media by sharing our latest posts on Facebook and Instagram. Use our #SolidaritywithCRPEG hashtag and show your support loud and proud! 

Show your support on Zoom

Solidarity matters! Show your support for striking CRPEG members by changing your Zoom background to one of the following PIPSC CRPEG solidarity backgrounds

CRPEG members ensure the safe operation of nuclear reactors and support critical radioactive waste management and environmental remediation projects across Canada. Their expertise in nuclear medicine research impacts the health of countless Canadians. 

They protect us – now it’s time for us to protect them! 

 

National Indigenous Peoples Day 2025 is coming up, and we want to celebrate with you! 

The PIPSC Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) Working Group is pleased to invite you to our Turtle Island Trivia event celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day. It will be a National Capital Region face-off!  

When: Thursday, June 26 from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM ET
Where: Online or in person
Address: PIPSC National Office (250 Tremblay Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 3J8)

Sign up alone or together with a team:

RSVP

For those participating online, once your registration is finalized, you will receive a Zoom link to join the event.

Registration closes Friday, June 20, at 5:00 PM ET.

We encourage you to join us at the PIPSC office, where we will have Indigenous pastries and snacks from Patisserie Kîsisam. This First Nation Oji-Cree-owned bakery uses only locally sourced and foraged ingredients. Chef Dominique Lalonde will bring vegan options to taste. It's a beautiful experience, as her culinary art includes storytelling about her Indigenous roots. 

The trivia will include questions on Indigenous History with a Canadian focus. The winning team of this year’s Indigenous trivia will receive a gift card from an Indigenous-owned business in their region!

The event will be facilitated in English and French - simultaneous interpretation will not be provided.

If you have any questions, please email Richard Gaboton, Advisor, EDIA, at rgaboton@pipsc.ca.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has set an ambitious agenda to protect Canada, and we welcome it. His government is facing new and unprecedented challenges: economic uncertainty, global instability, trade disruptions, and threats to Canadian sovereignty. As King Charles III noted in the historic Speech from the Throne, "the world is a more dangerous and uncertain place than at any point since the Second World War."

The scale of the government's ambitions is impressive. From building the strongest economy in the G7 to doubling the rate of home construction, from eliminating internal trade barriers by Canada Day to cutting project approval times from 5 years to 2 – this is the kind of bold leadership Canada needs right now.

Ambition without capacity is just talk

But here's the reality: you can't deliver on more goals with fewer tools. The Throne Speech promises transformational change while simultaneously pledging to cap the public service and cut operating budgets. This contradiction undermines the government's own agenda.

Building a stronger, more resilient Canada means investing in the public service to succeed. Our members are the quiet force behind Canada's strength – dedicated professionals who protect the health, safety, and economic security of Canadians by building the systems we all rely on when times get tough.

Take the Major Federal Project Office, which will cut approval times in half while "upholding Canada's world-leading environmental standards." Who will staff these accelerated reviews? Scientists, engineers, policy analysts, and regulatory experts – the very public servants whose numbers the government plans to cap.

Public services: Canada's anchor in uncertain times

In a volatile world, the public service is Canada’s stabilizer. They are the engine behind our economy, our infrastructure, and our national security. They provide safety nets, protect public health, and ensure no one is left behind.

The Throne Speech acknowledges that "many Canadians are struggling to get ahead" and promises help through programs like the Canadian Dental Care Plan, Pharmacare, and child care. But these programs don't run themselves – they require skilled public servants to design, deliver, and improve them.

You cannot protect Canadians by weakening the institutions they rely on.

We've been here before – and we delivered

PIPSC members have a long history of stepping up in times of crisis. During COVID-19, our members were:

  • Designing and delivering emergency benefit programs that kept families afloat
  • Working in labs to develop mass COVID testing methods
  • Keeping government systems running so Canadians could access support
  • Training nurses to manage outbreaks and bringing Canadians home from abroad

Our expertise didn't just help manage the crisis – it helped lead the recovery.

This moment is no different. Whether it's implementing the new border security measures outlined in the Speech, supporting the creation of Build Canada Homes, or helping deliver on the promise to remove internal trade barriers, our members will be there.

Ready to partner for Canada's success

We're not just raising concerns – we're offering partnership. PIPSC members are ready to do their part to deliver on this ambitious agenda, just as we always have.

But that requires investment in people and services – not cuts, caps, or constraints. Prime Minister Carney's expanded cabinet shows the government understands the scope of the work ahead. Now they need to ensure the public service has the capacity to match that ambition.

We're here for Canada. Built to serve, ready to protect.

The question is: will the government give us the tools we need to deliver the Canada they've promised?

As of 12:01 AM this morning, the Chalk River Professional Employees Group (CRPEG) has officially commenced strike action against Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL). 

Today, 20 CRPEG members from the bargaining and engagement teams have been pulled from work, while the remaining membership is conducting work-to-rule action. Tomorrow, we will begin picket lines at CNL facilities and targeted strike actions.

This strike action comes after more than a year without a collective agreement and follows the strongest strike mandate in CRPEG's history. More than 800 nuclear scientists and engineers at Chalk River have made it clear they will no longer accept inadequate compensation and healthcare benefits while continuing to perform vital work that serves all Canadians.

CRPEG members ensure the safe operation of nuclear reactors, support critical radioactive waste management and environmental remediation projects across Canada, and contribute to nuclear medicine research that impacts the health of countless Canadians. Their expertise and dedication deserve fair recognition.

The issues at stake—fair wages, better healthcare benefits, improved working conditions, and protection against excessive reliance on contractors—are challenges that resonate across our entire membership. This is why the full weight of PIPSC and our over 85,000 members across Canada stand firmly behind our CRPEG colleagues.

As we support our fellow members through this action, I want to remind you that solidarity is one of our union's core strengths. The success of this strike action will send a message to employers about the value and determination of professional workers.

I will keep you informed of developments as our CRPEG bargaining team continues working toward a negotiated agreement that properly recognizes the professional contributions of our nuclear scientists and engineers.

Thank you for your continued solidarity and support.

Sean O'Reilly
President, PIPSC

 

National Public Service Week is just around the corner, and we want to hear from you. Help us celebrate your impact by sharing your story: How does your role in the public service contribute to the well-being of Canadians?

Whether you're advancing scientific discovery, keeping healthcare strong, or designing Canada’s future infrastructure, your contributions drive Canada forward. Help us showcase the vital work of public servants across the country. 

Share your story for a chance to win one of several $50 gift cards to your preferred local store or service. Gift cards will be sent to selected members by email or mail.