FAQ: Trusteeship

The PSAC National Board of Directors (NBoD) voted to place CEIU in trusteeship, on September 4, 2026. This decision was taken in accordance with PSAC Regulation 18.

PSAC Regulation 18 governs the authorities and principles of trusteeship and administration across our union. The regulation describes the procedures and responsibilities of PSAC, the Trustee, Administrator, and Deputy Trustees working to restore the capacity of the Component.

Members from across CEIU had been raising concerns with PSAC and with CEIU over perceived problems with CEIU finances, governance, and the functioning of the Component. The PSAC National President sought to work collaboratively with CEIU to address these concerns; however, the course of this collaboration revealed the depth of the problems within CEIU:

1. The CEIU National Executive has been unable to conduct executive meetings and govern the affairs of the Component. Consequently, the work of the National Executive was not being done; the National Executive has not issued minutes to CEIU members in over a year.
   
   
2. The roles and responsibilities of CEIU national officers, as described in the CEIU Bylaws, were not universally upheld. This impacted the services and support provided to locals and members.
   
   
3. Confidentiality was not maintained within the CEIU National Executive. Confidential information was shared outside of authorized governance channels, including on social media.
   
   
4. The conformance of CEIU locals was not upheld and supported; local conformance varies dramatically across the Component, impacting services and support to members across the country. Inconsistencies have also been identified with the dues rates charged by CEIU locals across the Component.
   
   
5. Concerns were raised over the election procedures employed in recent CEIU elections. This had led to complaints and a lack of trust in CEIU’s governance.
   
   
6. The current CEIU Bylaws do not accurately reflect the decisions of past CEIU National Conventions. Reports from the 2021 and 2023 CEIU National Conventions have not been completed, nor have the resolutions of record been updated from these conventions.
   
   
7. CEIU does not have a complete, consolidated understanding of their national and regional financial position, past and current. Without a complete understanding of national and regional finances, any budget prepared for the next cycle is not based on an accurate picture of CEIU’s assets, liabilities, and financial reality.
   
   
8. This lack of accurate financial information has impacted the development of a draft budget for the 2026 CEIU National Convention. A draft budget had not been passed by National Executive, as required by the CEIU Bylaws.
   
   
9. Across CEIU, improved financial controls, including policies and regulations, are required to strengthen financial procedures and oversight. CEIU governance and financial policies require updating to improve financial accountability of regions.

Regulation 18 provides for trusteeship or administration. The PSAC National Board of Directors (NBoD) carefully considered the scope of the problems identified with CEIU to determine the appropriate course of action as allowed under the PSAC Constitution and Regulations. The Board concluded that the scope of work necessary to correct the problems and restore the Component required trusteeship.

Trusteeship is not a punitive measure. As outlined in PSAC Regulation 18, trusteeship is enacted to help restore the capacity for positive activity and functionality, to address the causes that gave rise to the trusteeship and rebuild capacity so that the Component can fulfill their mandate to the membership. This is the goal for CEIU.

The Component could not hold a convention without a budget, accurate financial reporting, accurate bylaws, and a functioning governance structure. Convention would not solve the challenges identified. It has been postponed to allow the work of the trusteeship to restore the Component and better prepare it for convention.

A new date for the convention will be established by the Trustee, when the Component is in a position to conduct the work necessary at the convention.

In accordance with Regulation 18, the NBoD appointed Shimen Fayad as CEIU Trustee and Guy Boulanger as CEIU Administrator. They were recognized by the Board has having the requisite knowledge and experience and not having any conflict of interest in serving in this capacity. Shimen is the former National President of the Union of Health and Environment Workers, and Guy is the former Director of Representation and Labour Relations at CEIU.

Per Regulation 18, the Trustee, in collaboration with the Administrator, determines the number of Deputy Trustees required and their appointment. Deputy Trustees work with the Trustee and Administrator to restore the Component. However, Deputy Trustees are not a replacement for the National Executive.

CEIU issued a call for Deputy Trustees and received over 70 applications. Our Trustee reviewed all applications and decided upon the selected individuals in accordance with PSAC Regulation 18. The Deputy Trustees were chosen for their experience and for their proven track-record as team players.

Once the Deputy Trustees were provided a mandate, they were assigned to ensure regional representation across the country.  In addition to this,  we are fortunate to have three members of the PA Bargaining team as Deputy Trustees. This gives us direct insight into bargaining during this crucial round of negotiations.

During trusteeship, the CEIU national and regional bylaws are suspended. As a result, the elected officers of CEIU, including the CEIU National President, National Executive Vice-President, the National Executive members, Portfolio Officers, regional officers, national and regional committees have been removed from office. This includes those officers who were recently elected and due to take office at the CEIU National Convention. Trusteeship is not a punitive action nor an indication of wrongdoing on the part of any individual office holder.

These results are null and void as CEIU Bylaws and Policies are suspended. Elections for a new CEIU National Executive will take place as the union emerges from trusteeship.

During this trusteeship, Local bylaws remain in effect and Local executive officers remain in their positions.  The Trustee, Administrator, and Deputy Trustees will establish practices to best support locals during this period.

Regulation 18 provides for trusteeship to last up to a year, with any extension requiring the approval of the NBoD.

The NBoD receives reports from the Trustee on the work underway to restore the Component. Per Regulation 18, an evaluation is conducted to determine if the matters that gave rise to the trusteeship have been resolved and make recommendations for any further corrective actions. Any benchmarks established by the Board as corrective or restorative measures must be met before the trusteeship is concluded.

Bargaining is not impacted by the trusteeship. CEIU members on the PA Bargaining Team remain working towards a new collective agreement. PSAC Regulation 6 governs access and benefits of the PSAC Strike Fund. Access to CEIU-specific strike monies is now subject to the oversight of the Trustee and Administrator.

No, trusteeship does not impact strike pay or the CEIU pay top-up.

Local officers remain in place and continue to help members in the workplace. CEIU staff continue to serve members, including National Union Representatives working on members’ grievances. Any questions regarding your representation can be addressed to your local officers or to CEIU.

Yes, CEIU is able to be delegated to the upcoming PSAC National Convention. Arrangements are being made to conduct elections for CEIU delegates. Further information will be shared with members concerning the delegates election process.

Our Trustee reports regularly to the PSAC Board of Directors and is accountable to the Board for fulfilling the mandate of this trusteeship.

At the same time, our Trustee and Deputy Trustees are also accountable to CEIU members. In addition to hosting regular national town halls where members can submit questions, we will regularly update these FAQs as questions arise, and post updates on our progress through trusteeship on the CEIU website.

Further questions concerning the CEIU trusteeship can be addressed to your Deputy Trustee or : communications@ceiu-seic.ca