PSAC places Canada Employment and Immigration Union into trusteeship
The decision affects 32,000 CEIU members. PSAC said concerns about governance and fiduciary operations prompted the move—the third component union taken under its control in less than a year.
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The Public Service Alliance of Canada voted September 4 to place the Canada Employment and Immigration Union into trusteeship, citing ongoing governance and fiduciary concerns.
The move affects CEIU members who work across Service Canada, Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, and other federal workplaces. PSAC national president Sharon DeSousa said members had been raising concerns about CEIU's operations for several months.
"For several months, members have been raising concerns with me regarding the governance and fiduciary operations of the Canada Employment and Immigration Union," DeSousa said in an email to CEIU members. "I want you to know that I have heard you, and that I do not take these matters lightly."
The trusteeship is the third component union PSAC has taken under its control in less than a year. CEIU national and regional leadership has been ousted, though local executive leadership will remain in place. Shimen Fayad, national president of the Union of Health and Environment Workers, was appointed trustee for CEIU, with Guy Boulanger as administrator.
A CEIU convention scheduled for September 13-18 in Vancouver did not proceed as planned. A new election timeline remains unclear. CEIU members have launched a petition demanding a live membership meeting to explain the reasons for the trusteeship; the petition had amassed signatures as of Wednesday afternoon.
What specific governance and fiduciary issues triggered the trusteeship decision?
When will CEIU hold new elections for its leadership?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
When did PSAC vote to place CEIU into trusteeship?
The Public Service Alliance of Canada voted on Friday, September 4, 2026 to place the Canada Employment and Immigration Union into trusteeship.
How many CEIU members are affected?
The trusteeship affects 32,000 Canada Employment and Immigration Union members.
Who was appointed as trustee for CEIU?
Shimen Fayad, national president of the Union of Health and Environment Workers, was appointed trustee for the Canada Employment and Immigration Union, with Guy Boulanger as administrator.
Why did PSAC place CEIU into trusteeship?
The Public Service Alliance of Canada cited ongoing governance and fiduciary concerns about the Canada Employment and Immigration Union's operations, which members had been raising for several months.
