We are deeply saddened by the news that Leo Cheverie – activist, union leader, arts enthusiast, and a long-time supporter of the Council of Canadians – has died. He was 60 years old.
More than 20 years ago, Leo helped found the Prince Edward Island chapter of the Council of Canadians. In the ensuing years, there was rarely an Annual Members Meeting or a meeting of the Atlantic Region that he missed. He also generously volunteered his time on several Council committees, including the Resolutions committee and the Good Governance Task Force, making a discernible positive impact on our work.
Leo was a familiar face in PEI and beyond as a big-hearted fighter and passionate activist – an advocate on labour, trade, health care, housing, climate, and electoral reform, to name some of the issues closest to his heart.
He was also a long-standing president of CUPE Local 1870, served as president of the PEI Federation of Labour, and ran several campaigns as an NDP candidate in PEI.
Leo was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in spring of 2022 – an experience he spoke about at the Council of Canadians PEI pharmacare town hall earlier this year.
His diagnosis led to an outpour of support from the community around him, who came together to raise more than $28,000 to help offset the costs of his treatment.
Leo had an incredible ability to connect with people around him – something that’s been on full display in the sheer number of tributes that have flooded his social media pages since the news of his passing.
He will be sorely missed by his Council of Canadians family. We extend our condolences to his family, friends, and all those he touched. May his legacy live on.
