Workplace-focused mandate
3,783 votes
For: 3,783 · Against: 738 · Abstentions: 682Back to the voting guide
Our editorial position
The case for a different direction.
Our position is straightforward: CAPE’s national resources should focus on workplace issues. Below are the documents behind our argument, alongside the context needed to read them fairly.
Large majorities. A clear difference in priorities.
Members voted in favour
Advance disclosure of resolution costs
3,542 votes
For: 3,542 · Against: 837 · Abstentions: 824Members voted against
Inquiry into treatment of pro-Palestine workplace activism
3,805 votes
For: 869 · Against: 3,805 · Abstentions: 529Percentage-based dues proposal
3,889 votes
For: 1,208 · Against: 3,889 · Abstentions: 106Public-service pension divestment campaign
3,394 votes
For: 1,178 · Against: 3,394 · Abstentions: 631Campaign for federal recognition of genocide in Gaza
2,891 votes
For: 1,363 · Against: 2,891 · Abstentions: 949Percentages use votes for and against and exclude abstentions. These are results among participating voters, not percentages of all CAPE members.
2025 membership vote results (Source in English)01
Spending on foreign-policy campaigns
The record
In 2025, the NEC recommended a campaign concerning Israel-related public-service pension investments, estimated at $250,000. It also backed lobbying the federal government to recognize Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide.
Our position
That is the allocation of time, money and energy we oppose. Our union should concentrate on bargaining, job security, grievances and working conditions.
Important context
The $250,000 was an implementation estimate, not proof of money spent. Proponents linked divestment to pension ethics and solidarity. The separate dues proposal sought a percentage-based model; we do not claim that proposal funded only external campaigns.
2025 AGM documents and voting package (Source in English)02
Members chose the workplace over the NEC recommendation
The record
The NEC advised members to reject the workplace-focused mandate. It passed with 3,783 votes in favour and 738 against: 83.7% support, excluding 682 abstentions.
Our position
That is a clear instruction to put members’ working lives first. CAPE’s time, money and energy should serve bargaining, job security and representation. Members United promises continuity with M4C. We want leadership that follows the workplace-focused mandate.
Important context
The NEC defended a broader mandate as helpful to equity, coalitions and bargaining. Our criticism concerns the allocation of union resources. Protection against workplace discrimination remains an essential union responsibility.
03
Members deserve the price tag before the vote
The record
The NEC recommended against stronger advance cost disclosure for resolutions costing at least $500 or likely to raise dues. It argued that existing financial review was sufficient and the proposed threshold too low.
Our position
We disagree. A proposal should clearly show what it will cost, what members may have to pay and how it advances their interests at work. Members are entitled to that level of financial accountability.
Important context
This criticism concerns that specific recommendation. In 2024, members approved fuller NEC minutes and meeting recordings: 1,499 in favour, 116 opposed and 290 abstentions. We do not claim members rejected every reform.
2024 membership vote results (Source in English)04
Nathan Prier: his words, his account
“My comments on Reddit were posted to a personal account and reflect my personal beliefs. I was not speaking as the President of the Canadian Association of Professional Employees.”
What the National Post reports
“I’ll say Jim Crow Jewish supremacists from now on, which more accurately describes you.”
“Oh and people don’t find your racial supremacy cute or inspiring, you Jim Crow hacks.”
Quoted in the June 2, 2025 report and attributed to Prier. The first addressed a user described as pro-Israel; the second addressed another user. The article does not establish that these recipients were Jewish CAPE members.
Union leader faces complaint over anti-Israel posts (Source in English)The record
The National Post reports that Prier acknowledged owning the anonymous account. It quotes the posts below and reports that, according to the complaint, most comments appeared in public Reddit exchanges with other union members in late 2024. The complaint alleged harassment of Jewish CAPE members and use of a “sockpuppet” account to appear to be an independent supporter. The article also describes Prier commenting on an article in which he himself was quoted.
Our position
Nathan Prier wrote these words while serving as CAPE’s president. Jewish members are entitled to respectful representation, including when they disagree with him. Calling the account personal does not excuse this language. A union president should be able to defend his views without speaking to people this way or hiding his role. We oppose his re-election.
Important context
These quotations and the account acknowledgement are reported by the National Post. The harassment complaint is an allegation, not a verified disciplinary finding.
05
Strike support: members need clear facts
In a public Reddit reply, the ACEP-CAPE account acknowledges that CLC support was not clearly communicated. It says the CLC provides neither direct strike pay nor loans to affiliates. It describes logistical and communications help, and the possibility of requesting donations from other affiliates.
CAPE clarifies CLC strike support (Source in English) CAPE’s current explanation of strike support (Source in English)
Our position
Members facing lost wages need specific answers: how much money is available, what strike pay is planned, and for how long? This correction warrants scrutiny of the information members received. It does not prove deliberate deception.