In our communities.
For our communities.

About

Learn about the people of CUPE 503

Who we are

CUPE 503 represents almost 10,000 members spanning Eastern Ontario: from Cornwall to Pembroke, the City of Ottawa and the City of Clarence-Rockland. We represent members working in Health Care, Municipalities and Social Services who deliver public services each and every day to strengthen our communities.

CUPE 503 is part of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the largest union in Canada representing 715,000 members.

CUPE 503: Our Communities Work Because We Do.

Executive Board

Headshot of James Watson

James Watson

President

July 2019 – Present

Headshot of James Watson

James Watson

President

July 2019 – Present

James moved to the position of President in July 2019 after serving as Vice-President since 2008. James previously served as a City of Ottawa 40-Hour Wage representative on the 503 Executive Council since 2005. James previously served as the Health & Safety Coordinator for the Local. Currently James sits on the CUPE Ontario OMERS Pension Reference Group as a CUPE 503 representative.

Headshot of Wil Kelly

Wil Kelly

Vice-President

July 2019 – Present

Headshot of Wil Kelly

Wil Kelly

Vice-President

July 2019 – Present

Wil was elected to the position CUPE 503 Vice President as of July 2019. Previously serving as a City of Ottawa 40-Hour Wage representative. Prior to moving to the role of Vice-President, Wil served as the CUPE Local 503 Health & Safety Coordinator since 2008. Wil is a CUPE National Union Education Member Facilitator and shares his passion for engaging members in their union.

Carrie Lynn Poole-Cotnam

Secretary-Treasurer

February 2013 – Present

Carrie Lynn Poole-Cotnam

Secretary-Treasurer

February 2013 – Present

Carrie Lynn was elected to the position of Secretary Treasurer in February 2013 after serving as one of the 35 Hour-Salary City of Ottawa representatives on the 503 Executive Council since 2005. Carrie Lynn also served as the CUPE Ontario Social Services Sector Chair, a position she has held from 2008 to 2022 and CUPE National Sector Co-Chair for Social Services since 2011 to 2022.

Drew Carmichael

Recording-Secretary

2024 – Present

Drew Carmichael

Recording-Secretary

2024 – Present

Drew has been a CUPE 503 Executive Board member since April 2024, when he was elected to the position of Recording Secretary. Drew has been a member of the Executive since 2013 previously serving as one of three City of Ottawa 35-hour Salary Representatives. He currently serves on the Bylaw and Job Evaluation Committee.

Executive Council Members

VacantCity of Ottawa 35 hour Salary Representative
Matthew KennedyCity of Ottawa 35 hour Salary Representative
Joanne MadsenCity of Ottawa 35 hour Salary Representative
Chad DashnayCity of Ottawa 37 ½ hour Salary Representative
Ryan BrittonCity of Ottawa 40 hour Wage Representative
Jahlani BurkeCity of Ottawa 40 hour Wage Representative
Tyler WardCity of Ottawa 40 hour Wage Representative
Mike BrittonCity of Ottawa 40-42 Hour Salary Representative
Melanie PoitrasCity of Ottawa 40-42 Hour Salary Representative
Janet McGeeinCity of Ottawa Part-Time Rec & Culture Representative
Laviena RoaCity of Ottawa Other than Full-time Representative
Marie-France Lacasse Representing Small Bargaining Units
Iona GuidonOttawa Humane Society
Brett GeneauChamplain HCCSS
James EliasOttawa Community Housing
Chantal EllichukOttawa Public Library
Dan HuffRetiree Representative

Local Staff & CUPE National Staff Assigned

CUPE 503’s membership is served by a dedicated staff team directly employed by the Union as well as CUPE National representatives. Please feel free to contact the office at 613-230-2456 to be directed to the representative who currently services your workplace.

Ray DinelleSenior Labour Representative-Retirement Leave
Lucien ClérouxSenior Labour Representative
Pierrette St-LouisLabour Representative
Denis RegimbaldUnion Development Labour Representative
JC FrechetteGrievance Officer
Patrick HuffGrievance Officer
Dan PikeGrievance Officer
Erin SmithCUPE 503 WSIB Officer
Tammy StaffordExecutive Assistant to the Board
Heather DuffAdministrative Records & Database Coordinator
Allison ReillyCUPE National Servicing Representative
Dan SawyerCUPE National Servicing Representative
Kristie Osmond-JonesCUPE National Servicing Representative