The 18th Biennial Convention of the Ontario Federation of Labour was held from Monday, November 17 to Friday, November 21, 2025 in Toronto.
The OFL represents over one million Ontario workers belonging to more than 1,500 locals from 54 affiliated unions, making it Canada’s largest labour federation. The OFL serves as an umbrella group for working people and their unions, to unite workers in the fight for better working and living conditions.
IAM Delegates showed up in Solidarity with delegates of other labour Unions to speak for all workers and the people of Ontario. It shows that when we get together with a united purpose we can achieve greater outcomes and a better life for all Ontarians.
The apt theme for this year’s Convention was – WE ARE ONE
DAY 1
Day 1 started with the Equality Statement and soulful songs Bread and Roses and Solidarity Forever performed by Rebecca Campbell and Kevin Barrett.
This was followed by Reports from the Credentials committee and a Keynote Address by Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), who spoke about how the OFL stood with the First Nations People to fight against Bill 5.
The Special Guest was Mayor Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto who presented the Childcare Champion Award. She said eloquently, ” A city is more than just budgets, you should be able to afford a good life.”
Impassioned Speeches by Marvin Alfred President of ATU Local 113, Andria Babbington President of Toronto and York Region Labour Council kept the delegates motivated and geared up to face the challenges that lie ahead for the labour movement.
The day rolled on with the President’s report, 2024-2025 Labour Honour Roll Inductees, the Executive Vice President’s report and the “We are One” Power Plan introduction.
The Workshops ‘Stand your ground’ equipped participants with winning strategies for grievances and arbitrations. This was followed by the Secretary Treasurer’s report and the OFL Young Workers Award.
Election Caucuses were held later in the evening for Disability rights and Women’s Rights.
Pictures from Day 1 :
Highlights of Day 2 :
- Keynote Address from Bea Bruske, President, Canadian Labour Council
- Election of Officers
- OFL Labour Council Builder Award
- Workshop of the Canadian Labour Code Section 107 by Goldblatt Partners.
- Resolutions Committee
- Keynote Address from Catherine Feingold, Director of the International Department of the AFL-CIO
- Election Caucus – FNMI Circle , Solidarity and Pride.
PICTURES FROM DAY 2:
BEA BRUSKE -President of the Canadian Labour Council talks about the importance of workers solidarity for the good of the Labour movement and the wins that were achieved when workers come together.
Sara Mitchell IAM Business Representative, District 78, taking part as a member of the Resolution Committee
HIGHLIGHTS OF DAY 3 :
- Cliff Pilkey Labour Award Presented.
- IAM International Representative Kim Valliere elected as the OFL Small Affiliates Vice-President.
- Marit Stiles, Leader of the Official Opposition addresses delegates.
- OFL Cultural award Presented.
- Solidarity and Pride activist Award.
- Election Caucuses held for Young workers and for Black and Racialized Workers.
- Rally : We are worth fighting for.
Kim Valliere IAM International Representative elected as the OFL Small Affiliates Vice-President. Congratulations Kim! You do us all proud.
Highlights of Day 4 :
- Linda Jolley Lifetime Achievement Award for Health and Safety
- Injured, ill, Killed: We are one Health and Safety Forum
- Rights don’t retire Campaign Launch
- Transgender day of Remembrance Ceremony
- Bob Borch Human Rights Award
- Keynote Address : Latoia Jones
- United Way Partnership Presentation – “Any way we can”
- Social : We are One DJ Dancing Party.
Highlights of Day 5 :
- Swearing-in of OFL Officers
- Rebuilding Labour’s Political Power : Federal NDP Leadership Showcase
- Indigenous Closing.
Local 1231 Delegates Reports :
Theresa Bukoroh : Local 1231 Chief Steward Toronto Branch
The Ontario Federation of Labour had their 18th Biennial Convention from November 17th to 21st, 2025. I was
nominated to attend this conference and I was grateful to be a delegate.
The theme for this year’s conference was “WE ARE ONE”. I found it fitting as OFL represents 54 unions and one million workers in solidarity fighting for one common goal; Respect, our Rights as workers and Fairness.
There were many speakers on different issues, but I will select a few to talk about.
On Monday, November 17th, there was the opening of the Ontario Federation of Labour Conference. The OFL president, Laura Walton, led the conference delegates by acknowledging the land we met on as the indigenous land, the First Nations, Inuit and Metis people. They were the original inhabitants of this land. I was so moved hearing this acknowledgement because the OFL did not only acknowledge them but honoured them with respect as the owner’s of this land. Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler was invited to speak and he explained how the 1929 treaty was signed with the settlers to live in harmony and to have mutual benefits to the First Nations but they were let down as we can see now. He stressed that they still lack clean drinking water, better roads and better living conditions which saddens me.
On Tuesday, November 18th, there was the nomination and election of OFL Officers and I was so glad to be a participant as a delegate. At the conference, some union groups brought their complaints forward for a resolution in fairness. They also talked about women’s rights which I found very important.
On Wednesday, November 19th, we delegates marched to Queens Park to make our voices heard and the theme was, “WE ARE WORTH FIGHTING FOR”. I was so enthusiastic to march as this march was my first time to participate with my sisters and brothers from across Ontario. The energy was strong and we were all in solidarity.
On Friday, November 21st, the closing day, was the swearing in of the new elected OFL officers and I was glad to see our own Kim Valliere from district 78 for Vice President for small affiliates on the OFL Executive Board.
Susanna Duncan : Chief Steward Peel Branch
My first OFL experience.
Overall, it was nothing short of encouraging and engaging. I had the opportunity to learn from several passionate labour leaders, with meaningful discussions surrounding LGBTQ2IA+ inclusion and the importance of creating safe, supportive spaces within the labour movement. An alarming statistic about the amount of trans life lost for the year thus far.
The sessions were informative and reaffirmed the value of equity, inclusion, and advocacy in our work. This experience has strengthened my understanding of how we can continue building a more inclusive and representative union for all members.
Michell Pyne : Steward Peel Branch
Ontario Federal Labour event was a unique experience for me. This was my first-time attending the week long conference.
There were invigorating and thought provoking discussions based around teachers and Trans genders topics.
Voting was conducted and transparency regarding financial reports was discussed.
Overall the experience of rallying at Queens park was my biggest take away from the OFL.
Lystra Mohammed : Secretary Treasurer
18 TH ONTARIO FEDERATION OF LABOUR CONVENTION
WE ARE ONE
The 18 OFL began with enthusiasm and excitement, call to order at 9:30 on Monday, everyone was exciting to hear all the different speakers and the new resolution that was being read out debated and voted on. The Reading of the equality statement on the first day says a lot about the OFL. We
heard from Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Alvin Fiddler(NAN) created in 1973 have some of the world richest resources in their land and still no clear drinking water, shame on the Government, and we have to fight against Bill 5 and bill C5 We can still see the injustices the Government have toward the first people who is the owners of these lands in Canada. The mayor of Toronto on the first day “I know who to thank the workers in Ontario I know I am in good hands, If we work hard, we should be able to have a good life, It is wrong when we farmed out our services to outside bidders. “The OFL financial report had a bit of a hiccup some of the members was not happy of what was going on with the finances and it had a bit of a backlash from the members.
We had the rally on day 3 WE ARE WORTH FIGHTING FOR it was great, everyone was gear up and got out with a full force, we all march all the way to Queens Park and was loud, every one could hear us we wanted our voice to be heard WE ARE ONE. On Thursday we had the transgender day of remembrance all the injured that was killed. It was sad, we took a moment to remember.
All and all the convention was great, I learned a lot about the different resolution and what it meant to have these passed, to benefits the workers .The IAM was very proud our very own Kim Valliere who won her seat at the table.
One of the speakers said to make sure to get gender affirming care in our next collective agreement.
Quotes of the day.
“We are powerful to fight anybody that comes in our way. When we fight we win.
Solidarity is not a slogan, it is force of nature”
Drupati Bazil – Steward Toronto branch
The Ontario Federation of Labour held its 18th Biennial Convention from November 17 to 21, 2025 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, bringing together 54 unions representing thousands of workers, activists, and community leaders, under the theme, “WE ARE ONE”.
Delegates at the highly-charged five-day forum, eager to share stories, debate ideas, and fight for better working conditions for all workers in Ontario, were drawn from every corner of the province, representing more than one million workers.
The event commenced with a rousing opening ceremony during which Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), delivered the keynote address. Her Worship Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto, presented the Olivia Chow Healthcare Champion Award and restated her support for the struggles of workers and their representatives.
SESSIONS
Major sessions looks are several areas such as Stand Your Ground: Winning Strategies for Grievances and Arbitrations; Constitution and General Resolutions; Young Workers; Equity Resolutions Block (Disability Rights); ‘We are One’ Power Plan Session; ‘Rights Don’t Retire’ Campaign Launch; Rebuilding Labour’s Political Power; Make Hybrid Union Meetings Work-Without Compromising Democracy; and Rebuilding Labour’s Political Power.
During the week, the convention halls were filled with conversations about the real experiences of workers — the long shifts, the risks on the job, the rising cost of living, and the pride people take in serving their communities. People clapped and cheered and sometimes disagreed passionately, but the atmosphere carried a sense of family with workers coming together to uplift each other.
ELECTIONS
Delegates chose their leaders for the next two years in an elections process that saw Laura Walton being re-elected as President — a moment welcomed with loud applause and visible excitement; Ahmad Gaied re-elected as Secretary-Treasurer and Michael Hamilton newly elected as
Executive Vice-President, bringing a strong background in community organizing and union activism.
A major milestone of the convention was that our very own International Representative Kim Valliere of the IAM Union was elected to represent the small affiliates on the Ontario Federation of Labour’s Executive Board.
November 19 saw delegates participating in a rally themed “we are worth fighting for” in which they marched to the Ontario Legislature) at Queens Park to protest in solidarity against the Ford Government’s proposed Bill 33 which is deemed by unions, labour affiliates and delegates as “an attack on democracy”.
Other areas discussed at the five-day meeting were a Workers’ Bill of Rights, improved strike coordination, and building a province-wide “People’s Platform” to push for better housing, climate action, strong public services, and human rights for all.
The form began to wind down with a Social entitled ‘We are One DJ Dance Party’ and swearing-in of OFL Officers
In Conclusion : By Sabiha Khan – Communicator Local 1231
The OFL Convention 2025 reaffirmed the strength, resilience, and collective power of Ontario’s labour movement. As delegates gathered to share stories, debate priorities, and set a bold course for the years ahead, one message rang clear: progress is possible when workers stand united. With renewed commitments to equity, decent work, and a more just future for all, the convention closed not as an ending, but as the start of the next chapter in our shared movement. The momentum built here will carry forward into workplaces, communities, and campaigns across the province—fueling the fight for fairness long after the convention lights fade.
#OFLConvention2025 #WeAreOne #OnLab