Labour College of Canada─Cohort 17

The Labour College of Canada (LCC) is a union-made education program for active Canadian Labour Congress affiliated union members that supports critical thinking and collaborative learning in a flexible format. Once again OSSTF/FEESO is pleased to be a participant in the program and is seeking interested members to apply to be part of Cohort 17 of the LCC.

The LCC Certificate Program

• Builds leadership skills and provides leadership tools
• Fosters empowerment, self-confidence, and new networks of labour leaders
• Strengthens critical thinking skills
• Examines working class struggles and human rights issues that affect all workers

Information about the specific program format, requirements, costs, and course schedule, including time and project requirements can be found on the LCC website – Labour College of Canada.

Most LCC students attend the three sessions in chronological order over 12 months. However, the LCC has the ability to adapt to today’s demands and accommodate pauses in the learning path as required. Additional time (up to 26 months) can be accessed to complete the program (at an additional cost).

Participants must successfully complete the three program sessions: the online orientation, the online courses, and the in-class courses for all three sessions, as well as the independent work between sessions, associated with the LCC Project. For each of the three sessions, LCC students must attend a one weeklong, in-person school (locations detailed on page 2 of this D/BU). Throughout the program–at their own pace–students are also required to participate in online courses (one per session), read and reflect on a variety of texts and articles, complete one or more assignments, and work on an independent learning project (totaling 40 hours or more).

Timelines, including tentative course schedule, for the 2026/2027 LCC and the Federation’s review and decisions regarding applications and approvals are as follows:

• Applications close March 2, 2026
• LCC recommendations and OSSTF/FEESO approvals by early to mid April 2026

The schedule for Cohort 17 is as follows:

SESSION 1: Unions in the Political Economy
April/May 2026–Admission and orientation of successful applicants
June/July 2026–Online
July 2026–In person (Eastern Canada)*

SESSION 2: Labour Leadership and Organizing Change
January/February 2027–Online
February 2027–In person (Western Canada)*

SESSION 3: Growing the Movement–Inside and Out
June/July 2027–Online
July 2027–In person (Eastern Canada)*

INDEPENDENT LEARNING PROJECT
A self-directed research project, facilitated online, that takes place between sessions. 

(*) Dates and location may be subject to change.

Detailed timelines can be found on the Canadian Labour Congress Labour College information page and in the attached LCC brochure.

How to Apply

Applications are to be completed online at Canadian Labour College. Total tuition cost for the program is between $3,300.00 and $3,500.00, depending on length of program completion plus $2,200.00 to $2,400.00 per each weeklong course for food and accommodations (dependent on school location and individual or shared accommodation). Travel costs are not included in the tuition.

OSSTF/FEESO has committed funding up to a total of $15,000.00 for support for up to two members who are approved by their Bargaining Unit or District Executive and by the Provincial Executive to attend the Canadian Labour Congress Labour College of Canada under budget line Account 2054–Labour College Funding for member access. Members requesting funding from OSSTF/FEESO will be required to submit evidence of local District or Bargaining Unit support for the application, as per Account 2054 guidelines. NOTE: any costs beyond those provided through this funding line are the responsibility of the District, Bargaining Unit, and/or member.

Please follow the following steps, in order, to apply for Cohort 17 of the LCC:

1. Apply DIRECTLY to the Labour College of Canada using their online application, found on the LCC Website.
2. Apply to your District/Bargaining Unit for local support of your LCC application, including recognition of availability of release time and of the cost-overage responsibility as noted above.
3. Submit proof District/Bargaining Unit approval of your application to Provincial Office using the Account 2054–Labour College Funding fillable PDF found in the OSSTF/FEESO Financial Handbook.

Participants are expected to regularly consult OSSTF/FEESO on the progress of their Independent Learning Project and to share their final project results with the Federation. For more information about this Canadian Labour Congress program, please contact Jennifer Ojalammi (jennifer.ojalammi@osstf.ca) at the Provincial Office.