The following message was shared with staff and families on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

Families, 

As we shared last week, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has signalled its intent to begin strike action on Monday, October 26, if an agreement cannot be reached. We continue to hope that a resolution will be reached at the bargaining table and that job action can be avoided.  

At this time, we have not received the required 48-hours’ notice of strike action. We will let you know as soon as we have any new information.  

It’s important to note that the employee groups that CUPE represents vary throughout Nova Scotia, meaning the impacts of a strike will be different in each Region and for CSAP.  

What will be impacted in HRCE: 

• Educational Program Assistants (EPAs) will not be at work. Principals continue to reach out to families of students who require EPA support to discuss how their children can continue to access educational services reasonably and safely.  
• Pre-Primary Programs will be paused for the duration of a strike. Lead and Support Early Childhood Educators will not be at work. Pre-Primary children will not attend school during the work stoppage.  

Also in HRCE, services provided by the following CUPE employees would also be paused for the duration of job action: 

• Educational Program Assistants (EPAs)
• Lead Early Childhood Educators 
• Support Early Childhood Educators 
• Library Support Specialists 
• SchoolsPlus Community Outreach Workers 
• Child and Youth Care Practitioners 
• Mi’kmaw/Indigenous Student Support Workers 
• African Nova Scotian Student Support Workers 
• Assistive Technology Support Workers 
• Substitutes for abovementioned classifications, where applicable   

What will NOT be impacted in HRCE:  

• Teachers are not part of this potential CUPE job action. Teachers will be at work. 
• EXCEL employees are also not represented by CUPE. The EXCEL program will continue to operate in the event of a work stoppage.   
• HRCE’s student transportation will continue to operate. 
• The Nova Scotia School Lunch Program will continue to operate. 

I know this uncertainty is difficult. Our hope remains that an agreement will be reached and there will be no disruption for students and families. 

As soon as we have any new information to share, you will be notified.  

Steve Gallagher  
Regional Executive Director 
Halifax Regional Centre for Education