Ontario Construction News staff writer
Carpenters’ Union Local 27 and the Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) will host a retirement brunch on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. to celebrate the career of Chris Campbell, the first Black president in the union’s 143-year history. the event will be held at Paramount Event Space, 222 Rowntree Dairy Rd. in Woodbridge.
Campbell, 56, officially stepped down in July, passing leadership of the local to new president Joe Russo.
He joined Local 27 as a first-year apprentice 35 years ago and went on to become a Red Seal journeyperson, supervisor, instructor, area representative and, in 2020, director of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). Campbell established the union’s EDI committee, which now bears his name.
In 2023, he was appointed president of Canada’s largest carpenters’ local, representing more than 10,000 skilled tradespeople.
After nearly four decades in the industry, Campbell said he plans to spend more time with family and enjoy fishing, while remaining connected to the union and the broader labour movement.
Russo and the new executive board have pledged to continue building on his work to advance inclusion and improve health and safety in the construction sector.