Board Member

Deborah Cooper brings extensive experience in labour and employment law, as well as being a regular lecturer at the Queen’s University Industrial Relations Centre (IRC) since 2013. She has been involved in all aspects of labour relations, having appeared before numerous tribunals and courts. With respect to collective bargaining, she has bargained in various sectors including the federal public service, the private sector, and the non-profit environment.

Ms. Cooper worked in private practice as an employment and labour lawyer before working at several different federal public service unions in various roles including General Counsel and Executive Director, as well as representing employees in the federally-regulated aviation industry as Director Labour Relations and General Counsel. She also held the position of General Secretary of the National Joint Council (NJC) of the Public Service of Canada for 5 years. In addition, she works as a volunteer on numerous Boards in the non-profit environment and has been doing so for over 20 years.

She holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) degree from the University of Ottawa, and a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Western Ontario, as well as certificates in Labour Relations and Advanced Human Resources. She has been a member of the Law Society of Ontario for over 25 years.