Meet the CUPE Education Workers’ Benefits Trust

The CUPE Education Workers’ Benefits Trust (the CUPE EWBT) is an employee life and health trust (ELHT) managed by a Board of Trustees, including representatives from the Crown, the Council of Trustees’ Associations and the OSBCU — united in service to support education workers’ health and well-being now and into the future.

Who is the CUPE EWBT?

Your benefits are provided through the Canadian Union of Public Employees Education Workers’ Benefits Trust (the CUPE EWBT), an independent benefits trust established to manage and administer your life, AD&D, health, and dental benefits. The CUPE EWBT holds a collective fund, set aside specifically to ensure that you and your family have access to the benefits you need. For more information about where this funding comes from, see Funding & Governance.

In the past, education workers in Ontario received benefits from their employer, the school board. Then, in 2018, the Ontario government established the CUPE EWBT to unite benefits decision-making and take advantage of collective buying power to get the best benefits possible for education workers province-wide.
Providing benefits through a trust offers some key advantages, including stable, sustainable access to coverage without the ongoing challenge of locally bargaining benefits. The size of our combined membership means greater buying power and related financial advantages – as well as greater benefits security for you. That said, maintaining a stable plan for the future will depend on plan performance and the OSBCU’s ability to negotiate funding with the government. That’s why it’s so important that you use your plan for the benefits you need – that’s what it’s there for – but also that you use it responsibly.

Who Receives Benefits from the CUPE EWBT?

The OSBCU & the CUPE EWBT

The Ontario School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU) unites 55,000 CUPE Ontario education workers in the public, Catholic, English, and French school systems across the province. These dedicated individuals work in schools and board offices, ensuring that every aspect of the education system functions smoothly.

The OSBCU members are a diverse group of education workers, including:

  • Custodians
  • School library workers
  • Skilled trades workers
  • Designated early childhood educators (ECEs)
  • Education assistants
  • Information technologists
  • Instructors
  • Professional and paraprofessional workers
  • Bus drivers
  • Cafeteria employees
  • Administrative assistants
  • Community advisory and clerical staff
  • And many more

All eligible CUPE Ontario education workers have the opportunity to join the CUPE EWBT benefits plan. Whether you’re a custodian, educational or administrative assistant, bus driver, technician, or any other non-teacher essential role, we’re here to ensure you have access to the benefits you need.

The CUPE EWBT Mission

We understand the critical role education workers play in our schools and communities and we work to ensure you have access to the best possible benefits. By prioritizing your health and financial security, we aim to support and honour the work you do every day.

Our Mission

The CUPE EWBT provides a comprehensive benefits plan that enhances the health and wellbeing of members and their dependents, ensuring its sustainability through prudent financial and administrative management and leading governance practices.

Our Vision

A benefits plan that enhances the health and wellbeing of members and their families, now and in the future.

Illustration of a group of individuals in purple shirts

The CUPE EWBT Trustees

Get to know the dedicated individuals behind the CUPE EWBT. The trustees are a collaborative team of benefits experts and representative members, committed to ensuring that all eligible members receive the best possible benefits. Each trustee brings broad experience and a unique perspective to the table, working together to manage and oversee the trust effectively.

Why Trustees Matter

The trustees are responsible for managing the CUPE EWBT, ensuring that your benefits plan is administered smoothly and efficiently. They work diligently to oversee plan administration, manage assets, and appoint professional advisors and administration partners. Their goal is to act in the best interest of all plan members, ensuring that collectively, you receive the comprehensive benefits you need.

Meet Your Trustees

The board is composed of representatives from both the government and CUPE membership, with four trustees appointed by the Crown, and five appointed by CUPE. This diverse group ensures that all voices are heard and that the trust operates with integrity and transparency. Learn more about each trustee below.

Bill Campbell Trustee Headshot

William (Bill) Campbell

Bill has been part of the Information Technology department at Trillium Lakelands DSB for 19 years. He joined Local 997’s executive team as Chief Technical Steward in 2003 and became President in 2014, a role he still holds. Bill also served as the OSBCC Area 7 Alternate from 2011 to 2013. He is excited to be on the CUPE EWBT Board of Trustees.

D Crow

Dan Crow

Dan Crow is the CUPE Senior Research Officer specializing in supporting Ontario’s school board sector. Before joining the Research Branch, Dan spent 11 years as president of CUPE 4207. He also worked at Brock University’s Centre for Labour Studies and served on the CUPE Ontario Executive Board from 2007 to 2012, and again from 2014 to 2015.

G Goddard

Gary Goddard - Board Chair

Gary is an actuary with 35 years of experience in employee benefits plans. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with insurance companies, international employee benefits consulting firms, and various private and public benefit and pension plans, including some of Canada’s largest unions. Apart from his role at CUPE EWBT, Gary serves as a trustee on the Canada-Wide Industry Pension Plan (CWIPP) and is a member of the Central Advisory Group of the Anglican Church General Synod Pension Plan. He shares his expertise as an instructor for the Masters of Trustee Management Standards program at the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and the Shareholder Association for Research and Education. Gary has also contributed as a subject matter expert for the Society of Actuaries’ Education and Examination Committee.

Tammy Graham

Tammy currently serves as the Area 7 Vice-President for the Ontario School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU). She is also the local treasurer for CUPE 2486 in Thunder Bay, where she works as a custodian at the Lakehead District School Board. Previously, Tammy held the role of President at CUPE Local 3987 in the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board. She is deeply dedicated to CUPE and finds great passion in her union work.

Karen McRae

Karen McRae is a seasoned investment professional with more than 30 years of experience. Recently retired, Karen held positions as Sr. Vice-President of Investments at Mackenzie Financial and previously served as Chief Investment Officer at Spectrum Investments. She also serves as a trustee of the Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology (CAAT) Pension Plan. Beyond her professional career, Karen is deeply involved in volunteer work, contributing her expertise to educational, religious, and sports organizations. She is driven by her passion for investments and commitment to sound governance principles.

Wanda Muirhead-Toporek

Wanda Muirhead-Toporek retired as the Chief Financial Officer of the York Region District School Board. During her tenure, Wanda oversaw the business division, which encompassed Finance, Accounting, Payroll, Purchasing, Administrative Services, and Information Technology Services. With a career spanning 34 years at the board, Wanda progressed through various roles of increasing responsibility. She was appointed Senior Manager of Finance in 2007, Superintendent of Business in 2010, and assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer in 2012. Wanda holds a Bachelor of Accounting Science degree from the University of Calgary and has been a Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified General Accountant for over 35 years. She also earned her Supervisory Officer Certificate in 1996.

Carrie Lynn Poole-Cotnam

Carrie Lynn Poole-Cotnam has been the Treasurer of CUPE 503 since 2013, representing 10,000 members across Eastern Ontario—from Pembroke and Ottawa to Clarence-Rockland and Cornwall. The union covers sectors including healthcare, municipal services, and social services. Carrie Lynn also holds the position of Treasurer at the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care. She is an alumna of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, Cornell University’s Industrial and Labor Relations program, and has completed executive education at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Carrie Lynn was appointed as a CUPE Trustee starting March 1st, 2023.

Craig Young

Craig has a comprehensive background in engineering and accounting, holding both P.Eng and CPA designations. He has extensive experience in the education sector in corporate services and governance. As the Superintendent of Corporate Services and Treasurer for the Limestone District School Board, he is committed to ensuring the effective management of financial, human, and facility resources. His current roles in various boards and foundations underscore his dedication to the community and the education system at large.

Meet the Managing Director

Andrea Rappitt

Andrea Rappitt, CEBS, is the Managing Director of the CUPE EWBT. With more than 25 years working in the group benefits industry, Andrea excels at providing strategic support, exemplary governance, and fostering positive stakeholder relationships. In her role, Andrea is involved with policy development, budget management, and compliance oversight, all while ensuring the Trustees remain informed and aligned with industry developments and trends.

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