Cannabis workers at Canna Cabana join the union – UFCW 175

Ottawa – July 11, 2025 – Workers at a Canna Cabana location in Ottawa have voted overwhelmingly “YES!” to joining UFCW Local 175.

This newly unionized group of cannabis retail workers came together to improve their workplace and address key issues such as ending favouritism, achieving better compensation, and ensuring fair treatment on the job.

In 2020, employees at Canna Cabana in Hamilton made history by becoming the first retail cannabis location in Ontario to unionize with UFCW Local 175. With the addition of Ottawa’s Canna Cabana workers, the number of unionized Canna Cabana locations represented by UFCW Local 175 has now grown to nine.

“We’ve been proud to represent workers in this industry for several years now, and we are thrilled to welcome our newest Canna Cabana members,” said UFCW Local 175 President Kelly Tosato. “As the cannabis industry continues to evolve, more retail cannabis workers are realizing the power of collective action to secure better wages, benefits, and working conditions. These workers deserve respect and recognition for the expertise and dedication they bring to their roles every day.”

Thanks to the strong foundation of existing collective agreements already in place at other Canna Cabana locations, the Ottawa members are well positioned to start negotiating improvements. With UFCW Local 175 representation, they will now have the opportunity to bargain for better pay and benefits, improved job security, consistent scheduling, and stronger workplace protections.

Read more about the organizing victory at Canna Cabana Ottawa.

UFCW Locals 175 & 633 represents more than 70,000 working people across all sectors of the Ontario economy including hospitality and services, health care, retail grocery and pharmacy, food production, meat processing, manufacturing, packaging, and more. To learn more about UFCW 175 & 633 and their outstanding work, visit the local union’s website.

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Are you a non-unionized worker who would like to enjoy the benefits of a UFCW Canada union contract? Do you and your co-workers want to gain the union advantage at work? Join Canada’s best union, UFCW Canada, to make your workplace better today. Click here to join now.