Labour education builds solidarity and knowledge. It teaches the skills unions need to represent their members and defend their rights using proven methods that allow adults of all backgrounds to learn. If your union wants to train the next generation of local activists or expand the skills that today’s leaders and activists already have, the CLC Winter School 2026 is here to help your union succeed.
The CLC Pacific Region Winter School is the largest labour school in Canada and we take pride in offering the very best in labour education.
Date
Sunday, February 8, 2026 to Friday, February 13, 2026
Location
Harrison Hot Springs, 100 Esplanade Ave., B.C. V0M 1K0
Fees
Single Accommodation: $2,315.00
We will not be offering Shared Accommodation for the 2026 Winter School.
To change or cancel a registration after December 17, 2025, you must contact the Pacific Region office at pacific@clcctc.ca
Cancellations received after January 1, 2026 will be subject to a $350.00 cancellation fee.
Registrants must have the approval of their union before registering.
Community Savings Credit Union Scholarship
Kim Manton Memorial Scholarship
One Movement Threads “Movement Builder” Scholarship
CUPE BC 2026 Young Workers Scholarship
Child Care:
Free child care is provided at Winter School for eligible delegates with children ages 12 months to 12 years. An eligible delegate is a single parent, a parent not accompanied by a spouse/companion, or where both parents are delegates. While the CLC will pay the actual childcare costs at the school, students will be responsible for any additional hotel charges for their child. Delegates having additional childcare costs as a result of leaving their children at home should apply for reimbursement from their own union.
There is a limited number of spots available in the childcare program. Spots will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Delegates requiring child care must pre-register and indicate child care on their registration form. Requests for child care do not constitute guaranteed spots in the childcare program. The deadline for childcare registrations is December 4, 2025. Requests received after this deadline will only be accommodated if there is room in the childcare program. Cancellations are required and must be received 14 days in advance of your attendance at Winter School. Failure to cancel booked childcare space(s) will result in a “no-show fee” of $350.00.
*Childcare arrangements may not be able to accommodate special needs, but please contact the Pacific Region office for more information.
Please be aware that should unforeseen circumstances arise due to staffing issues, there is the possibility that childcare coverage may be cancelled without advance notice. Participants wishing to utilize the childcare program should keep alternate arrangements in mind, just in case.
COVID Policies & Requirements:
We will be following all provincial health requirements at the 2026 Winter School. As provincial requirements do change on short notice, we encourage all affiliates to remain up-to-date. We will provide updates on our website regarding any changes to health requirements for the school. All participants should be prepared to comply in the event a mask and/or vaccine mandate is reintroduced in B.C. If changes to the COVID requirements make a participant unable to attend, the standard cancellation policy will apply. At this time, we are strongly encouraging all participants to be fully vaccinated, to help protect themselves and others.
Courses Offered:
BCFED – Organizing and Campaign Fundamentals
This BCFED Organizing Institute training will equip participants with the essential skills of union organizing to build power within unions and organize new workers into the labour movement. Participants will learn the theory and practice of powerful communication and storytelling, building authentic trust and relationships, overcoming workplace fear and apathy, and strategic mapping work.
This is an opportunity for participants to learn and practice effective organizing conversations alongside peers and experienced organizers from across our movement. Participants will explore the key elements of successful organizing campaigns, and understand how provincial and federal labour codes work in real organizing situations.
This is an intensive, hands-on course that simulates actual union organizing campaign conditions and is designed for emerging labour activists and those new to organizing who are ready to expand their skills and build worker power. Participants should come prepared for an engaging mix of interactive coursework, collaborative small groups, and real-time practice sessions.
This course is presented by the BC Federation of Labour.
Candidate Training
Candidate Training is an intensive training designed to elevate the presence, communication, and campaign readiness of new and prospective candidates. During the course, participants will sharpen their public-speaking skills, master concise messaging for varied audiences, and learn how to handle challenging questions with confidence. The course also covers essential campaign communications—from assembling a mini media kit to managing cross-platform digital content. Participants will receive feedback on branding, on-camera presence, and visual identity, while also creating practical tools like social media templates and a 30-60-90 day campaign plan.
CUPW: Social Stewards – Supporting Each Other Through Solidarity
This course equips members with the knowledge and tools to become Social Stewards—trusted, compassionate peers who support co-workers facing personal challenges. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the role and responsibilities of a Social Steward, including how to listen actively, identify member concerns, provide meaningful support, and connect individuals with the right resources. Through hands-on activities and real-life scenarios, members will explore practical strategies for approaching workplace issues with empathy and confidence. If you’re passionate about fostering a supportive workplace community, this course is for you.
Prerequisite: Applicants must be a member of CUPW. Registration is through your CUPW Regional Office.
CUPW: Turtle Island – Building Allyship and Understanding
This transformative course is designed to deepen understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures, and struggles, with the goal of building meaningful, long-term relationships with Indigenous peoples both within and beyond our workplaces. Participants will examine significant moments in Indigenous history in Canada and connect these events to the present-day realities faced by Indigenous communities. The course challenges stereotypes and myths, fostering a space for learning, reflection, and growth. It concludes with a focus on actionable allyship—how to stand in solidarity and support Indigenous-led movements for decolonization in a respectful and effective way.
Prerequisite: Applicants must be a member of CUPW. Registration is through your CUPW Regional Office.
Facing Management Effectively
This course will look at economic, political, and social forces at play between union and management. It will examine the roles and rights of each group and the different types of union/management relationships and styles. We will look at the power, bias, and privilege dynamics between union and management and how we can communicate effectively. We will focus on problem solving – understanding issues, developing strategies, finding and presenting facts and argument, finding areas of agreement, building solutions, implementing and maintaining solutions. Participants can expect lots of participation, interaction, and role-plays along with practical skills and tools for communication, analysis, strategy, and critical thinking.
Intro to Digital Organizing
Have you been trying to figure out how best to weave digital organizing strategies and tactics into your union’s work? If so, this training is for you. Over the course of five days, we teach you the basics and offer tips and tricks for seamlessly integrating digital into your union work including:
• The role digital organizing can play throughout your entire organization;
• Introduce you to some of the basic strategies of digital tactics, managing an email list, email writing, social media, and more;
• Teach you about building an offline and online strategy that works together and how to then measure the results;
• Introduce you to some digital tools you can use to make your work more efficient.
Steward Training Level 1
The steward is often the main point of contact between the union, its members, management, and the larger labour movement. This course builds the skills, confidence, and knowledge a steward needs to represent their members. Participants will learn the roles and responsibilities of their position as stewards, the handling of grievances and complaints, problem-solving skills, protecting contractual provisions in the collective agreement, and current issues for stewards.
Unions & Social Change: Community Based Campaigns
The labour movement has always played a strong role in the social change movement. As part of the United Way and CLC Labour Community Advocate Program, the course provides training on community involvement and working with community partners as a board, committee, or coalition partner. Participants learn how to organize around and participate in community social service issues, while exploring the ways in which unions and other labour bodies can help build resilient and respectful communities. The tools provided help strengthen labour’s community presence and develop new activists and support for issues-based campaigns. Participants are also trained to identify community issues where unions can play a role through collective bargaining or social action.
Workplace Psychological Health and Safety: Techniques, Tips and Tangible Tools
The Centre is excited to announce the debut of this beauty!
This course delves into the foundational and occupational health and safety (OH&S) elements of a psychologically safe work environment.
We set the scene with a brief overview of the Canadian and global standards in psychological health and safety:
• CAN/CSA-Z1003
• ISO 45003
We will move to examining critical topics:
• workplace bullying and harassment,
• violence in the workplace, and
• the impact of other psychosocial hazards.
We will actively explore strategies for:
• managing and resolving conflicts,
• addressing challenging behaviours, and
• improving communication.
The goal is to give you the basics of psychological health and safety in the workplace with an OH&S lens. By the end of the week, you will have developed your own clear list of actionable items to present to your safety committee, union, or leadership. You’ll also leave with the knowledge and confidence to help create and advocate for a healthier, more supportive work environment for everyone.
This course is ideal for the following audiences:
• all roles in the workplace and labour arenas (eg: worker, supervisor, safety committee member, general steward, union leadership)
• both provincially- and federally-regulated workplaces.
Content Advisory: This content might bring up emotionality. Prioritize your well-being and communicate with your facilitators.
Register Online