Union leaders, activists mourn the loss of Danny Légère

A formidable voice for the working class has died. Daniel “Danny” Légère, president of the New Brunswick Federation of Labour, succumbed to cancer on December 26. He was 65.

Tributes are pouring in on social media from union leaders and grassroots activists from across the province and country. Légère is being remembered as a mentor in many of the tributes.

“Daniel’s dedication to workers’ rights, social justice, and equity was unmatched,” said Serge Landry, Regional Representative at the Canadian Labour Congress. “He was not only a leader but an inspiration to countless individuals who had the privilege of working alongside him. His vision and tireless commitment transformed lives, strengthened our movement, and reminded us all why solidarity matters.”

Landry and Légère spent years together, traversing the province, standing on picket lines, and organizing the New Brunswick NDP.

“For me, Daniel was more than a mentor. He was a friend, a guide, and a source of wisdom. He believed in people, fought for their dignity, and encouraged all of us to push boundaries to achieve a better future for workers and their families,” Landry said.

In an episode of the NB debrief in 2021, Légère joined Sandy Harding, Regional Director of CUPE Maritimes, to talk about the challenges facing workers in New Brunswick. Légère was especially concerned with the rise of precarious work and the working poor turning to food banks to survive.

Norma Robinson, president of the New Brunswick Council of Hospital Unions (CUPE 1252), called Légère, “A gem, our labour rock, and a man of honour.” Robinson’s union represents more than 9,000 health care workers in the province. As executive members of the New Brunswick Health Coalition, the pair worked closely together to defend public health care from privatization.

Légère was a public-spirited leader who defended the health care system from privatization.

“The most obvious consequence of privatization of health care is that these companies will take staff from within the public health care system: from hospitals, public clinics and nursing homes,” he told the NB Media Co-op at a 2022 rally outside then-Health Minister Bruce Fitch’s Riverview office. “Therefore, the already critical shortage of staff in the public system will only get worse.”

In June, Légère rallied outside the Premiers’ meeting in Halifax against profiteering in health care.

Légère recently joined calls for a public inquiry into massive government spending on travel nurse contracts. “The hundreds of millions of dollars spent on these for-profit providers would have been better spent on recruiting and retaining full-time nurses in the provinces,” he said at the time.

Légère advocated against paid plasma to protect Canada’s blood supply. While paid plasma has been allowed to spread in Canada, Légère did live to see pharmacare legislation passed. The Pharmacare Act includes coverage for universal access to contraception and diabetes medications. In July, he told the NB Media Co-op about a worker unable to retire because he can’t afford his diabetes medication.

Gina McKay, president of CUPE Manitoba, said that she and Légère recently spoke about addressing “the tide of rising hate” through the labour movement.

Janelle LeBlanc, who got to know Légère through her previous role as provincial coordinator of the New Brunswick Common Front for Social Justice, called him “a fierce advocate for better living and working conditions for people living in poverty, low-income/minimum wage workers.”

In July, he told the NB Media Co-op, “Many families struggle to meet their basic needs. Financial insecurity impacts workers’ health, well-being, and overall quality of life.” Earlier in the year, he condemned the Higgs government for ignoring collective agreements and forcing thousands of unionized public sector workers into shared risk pensions.

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh joined the tributes: “Sharing the sadness of so many in our movement today at the loss of Danny Légère – lifelong union activist and New Democrat,” Singh said. “He stood up for the rights of workers in New Brunswick and everywhere. His life is an example of solidarity and leadership. My deep sympathy to all who loved him.”

‘Our CUPE man’

Many workers in New Brunswick got to know Légère when he became the president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) New Brunswick in 2005, a position he held until 2019. One worker remembered Légère as, “our CUPE man.”

Légère’s union activism began when he first became a worker. As a correctional officer in St. Hilaire, he became the shop steward, supporting worker grievances before he had passed his own probationary period.

He also championed workers’ causes across borders. In 2008, Légère extended his support to Colombian coal miners. In 2009, he joined union leaders and students to oppose the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.

Légère noted that the agreement would be bad for workers and public services in both countries. He decried the assassinations of labour leaders in Colombia, which remains the deadliest country for trade unionists.

In 2013, Légère sent 200 letters in support of Filipino political prisoners from CUPE New Brunswick members at the Fredericton public post office. He explained that the political prisoners are in jail for organizing in their communities and for teaching farmers how to read and write.

Légère built bridges between labour and land defenders and water protectors. He was a regular presence at Idle No More actions across Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqey territories in 2013, and supported the Voice of the People Tour on shale gas in 2014.

Légère is one of the NB Media Co-op’s top newsmakers, featuring in about 80 stories, dating back to 2009.

In the CUPE documentary, Bargaining Forward, released this year, Légère recounts important labour history. The film, which was featured at the Canadian Labour International Film Festival in Moncton and Fredericton, documents the historic 2021 strike of 22,000 public sector workers in New Brunswick.

As Gaza continued to be bombarded, in June, Légère joined Citizens for Peace calling for an immediate arms embargo against Israel outside the Moncton office of MP Ginette Petitpas Taylor. Taylor is the Associate Minister of National Defence.

L’Acadie Nouvelle recognized Légère’s contributions to workers’ rights and social justice by putting him on their list of most influential Acadians on more than one occasion.

Légère is also being remembered for how much he loved his family, food, and gardening.

Having lived in many places as a child with his Air Force family, Légère said he was from the Chatham side of Miramichi. He was born there and graduated from James M. Hill Memorial High School. He often joked that the fish and chips and even the hot dogs were better on his side of the river.

Mark Hancock, president of CUPE National, shared as part of his tribute to Légère: “Hope they are serving Andrew’s Fish and Chips in heaven my friend. Rest in Power!”

Légère is survived by his wife Cindy, three daughters, eight grandchildren, mother and siblings.

Visitation will be held at Dupuis Funeral Home in Memramcook on Friday, January 3 from 1 to 4 PM and 6 to 9 PM. Funeral mass will be held at St-Thomas de Memramcook Roman Catholic Church on Saturday, January 4 at 11:00 AM.

Légère’s family requests that donations in his memory be made to Fondation Melissa et ses amis or New Brunswick Common Front for Social Justice.

Tracy Glynn, an editorial board member of the NB Media Co-op, has worked with Danny Légère in numerous coalitions and networks over the years, including in solidarity with workers in Colombia and more recently with the Canadian Health Coalition.