The Bev Smale Scholarship Fund Background

Extended Programs

The CUPE Ontario Bev Smale Scholarship Fund was established in the name of Sister Bev Smale. Bev was a long-time activist from the healthcare sector who became a staff member of our union.

Following her sudden passing in 2006, members and staff alike wanted to commemorate Bev and her many contributions to CUPE in Ontario. Bev’s great love was education, so it is appropriate that we remember our sister with the creation of a fund to assist and encourage workers to pursue CUPE education opportunities.

The Bev Smale scholarships are offered to members from Locals affiliated to CUPE Ontario which are in good standing. The primary focus of the scholarships is to support members pursuing and furthering education and training. Education encourages union engagement, mobilizes members to take action, and ultimately strengthens unions.

Eligible members may use the Bev Smale scholarships to attend CUPE education courses. CUPE Ontario offers two schools each year, one in the spring and one in the fall. Courses offered may vary, but each link back to CUPE Ontario’s fight for fairness. Available courses include Contracting Out and Privatization, Preparing for Bargaining, Introduction to Stewarding, Workers’ Compensation, and Labour Law.

In addition to the general education fund, the Bev Smale Scholarship Fund also includes internal and external scholarships created in memory of various activists from our union.

How to apply

Fill out the on-line form below to send in the Bev Smale Scholarship application form, or click here to download the brochure which has an application form you can mail to CUPE Ontario.

Once submitted, each application will be kept active until December 31st of the year in which it was completed. CUPE Ontario will communicate with all applicants either to let them know that they have been selected or to encourage unsuccessful applicants to apply again.

Priority consideration is given to members from small Locals and to members from  Northern Ontario.

We look forward to seeing our scholarship winners at education opportunities throughout the year.

Muriel Collins Scholarship - Sister Muriel was a member of the CUPE National Executive Board and a long-time activist and member of CUPE Local 79, representing inside workers for the City of Toronto. She was also a founding member of the CUPE National Rainbow Committee, now known as the CUPE National Racialized Workers Committee. She passed away on November 12, 2013. The Muriel Collins Scholarship was created to encourage the participation of racialized workers at CUPE Ontario’s fall and spring schools.
LOIS HILL SCHOLARSHIPS - Sister Lois was a long-time CUPE activist and president of CUPE Local 778. The two external scholarships named in Lois’ honour are worth $500 each and are open to Aboriginal members, or the children of Aboriginal members of CUPE, to undertake a course of post-secondary studies for the upcoming academic year. Applicants must be accepted into a program of study at a public or union-based institute of post-secondary education.
JIM FREEMAN SCHOLARSHIP - Brother Jim was a lifelong labour activist, autoworker and Durham Region Labour Council President known for his easy-going attitude and Hawaiian shirts. Jim was deeply committed to advancing and including young workers in the labour movement, creating the first-ever Young Worker seat on a Labour Council executive board. The scholarship named in Jim’s honour was established to encourage the participation of young workers at CUPE Ontario’s fall and spring schools.
LIVINGSTONE HOLDER SCHOLARSHIP - Brother Livingstone was a CUPE activist and Local 79 member who passed away in 2008. Livingstone was a member of the CUPE Ontario Executive Board, the CUPE Ontario Education Committee, and the Human Rights Committee (National and Ontario). The Livingstone Holder Scholarship was created to encourage the participation of racialized workers at CUPE Ontario’s fall and spring schools.
DAVID SAUNDERS SCHOLARSHIP - Brother David was a former employee of the Toronto Zoo and a long-time dedicated member and employee of CUPE. Beginning in 1986, David served as a National Representative in Barrie, Toronto, Windsor, and Peterborough. He was also an Education Representative who believed deeply in the power of education for workers. David passed away in October 2007. The David Saunders Scholarship sends members to the David Saunders Memorial Weeklong School named in David’s honour.
Workers Compensation Education Scholarship To increase and improve access to workers compensation training CUPE Ontario created a scholarship to send Injured Worker representatives and activists to WSIB courses offered through CUPE Ontario's Fall and Spring Schools. The Workers Compensation Education Scholarship prioritizes applicants from Locals in need of support and Injured Workers without access to training.

Complete the Bev Smale scholarship form online

*Please note that additional materials are required for the Lois Hill Scholarship

    Name: (required)

    Adresse de la rue : (required)

    Apartment, suite, etc:

    City: (required)

    State: (required)

    Zip/Postal: (required)

    Work Telephone: (required)

    Home Telephone:

    Personal Email address: (required)

    Local Number: (required)

    Work status: (required)

    Is your local affiliated to CUPE Ontario? (required)

    Number of members in your local: (required)

    I identify as:

    Aboriginal/First NationsLesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Trans/Intersex/QueerRacialized WorkerPerson with a disabilityWomanYoung Worker (under 30)

    Please indicate which sector you work in: (required)

    Please indicate area of work: (required)

    Job title: (required)

    Do you hold a position in your local? (required)

    YesNo

    If you hold a position in your local, please indicate what position(s):

    How long have you held the positions in your local?

    Have you ever attended a CUPE educational workshop before? (required)

    YesNo

    If you have attended a CUPE eduational workshop, please indicate the workshop(s) attended:

    If you have applied for a CUPE scholarship before, please indicate when you have applied:

    If you have been awarded a scholarship, please indicate the amount and year:

    Are you able to access time off from work to attend the CUPE School? (required)

    YesNo

    If you require child or elder care to attend, please indicate the number of dependents:

    Do you have accessibility needs to ensure your full participation at the CUPE school? (required)

    YesNo

    If you have accessibility needs to ensure your full participation at the CUPE school, please indicate them below:

    What type of scholarship do you want to access?

    What course do you wish to attend? (required)

    What is your second pick if the above course is full? (required)

    If you are applying for the Dave Saunders Weeklong Summer School, what is your course of interest?

    What do you hope to gain by taking this course and how will you apply it at work, in the Local and in your community? (required)