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Toronto Zoo’s Board of Management and CUPE Local 1600 Ratify A New Collective Agreement

April 30, 2026 – Your Toronto Zoo’s Board of Management and CUPE Local 1600 have jointly ratified a new collective agreement, reflecting a shared commitment to collaboration, mutual respect and in service to animals and community.

This new agreement recognizes the unique work carried out by the Zoo’s dedicated staff while supporting a more flexible workforce that enhances the experience for members and guests year-round. It represents a significant milestone as the Toronto Zoo continues to strengthen and evolve to continue to be a top destination in Toronto.

“We are so grateful to be on this journey with our incredible team members together. Your Toronto Zoo’s mission is connecting people, animals, traditional knowledge and conservation science to fight extinction, and I am truly excited about how this agreement will benefit our staff and animals, our guests, and our community,” said Dolf DeJong, CEO Officer, Toronto Zoo. “In 2025, we launched our new Guardians of Wild Strategic Plan, focused on Nature’s Insurance Policy, Wildlife Advocates, Belonging, and Wow for Good. This agreement will help advance those areas of focus and position us for continued success.”

The Board of Management also recognized the dedication and professionalism of both the Zoo and CUPE Local 1600 negotiating teams throughout the bargaining process.

“We’re pleased to have reached a tentative agreement that reflects the needs of our entire membership,” said Lynda Bongelli, president of CUPE 1600. “Our bargaining committee worked hard throughout negotiations, and I’m proud of what they’ve done with the support of our members to reach this agreement.”.

“This agreement reflects the collaborative spirit and shared commitment of everyone involved,” said Councillor Paul Ainslie, Chair of the Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo. “I want to thank the negotiating teams for their hard work in reaching a balanced and forward-looking agreement that supports our employees, strengthens the Zoo’s operations, and ensures we continue delivering exceptional care for wildlife and outstanding experiences for our community.”

Media Contact Information:

Amy Baptista

416-848-5920

Media Relations Coordinator

[email protected]

The Toronto Zoo’s mission is to connect people, animals, conservation science and traditional knowledge to fight extinction and our vision is a world where people, wildlife and wild spaces thrive.

An iconic tourist attraction and Conservation organization, the Toronto Zoo boasts a number of leading programs for helping wildlife and their natural habitats – from species reintroduction to reproductive research. A world-class educational centre for people of all ages, the Toronto Zoo is open every day including December 25 and attracts approximately 1.3 million guests each year.

Toronto Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The Zoo has also achieved the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) Certificate of Good Animal Practice® and is inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA).

Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Ave, Toronto ON, M1B 5K7

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We acknowledge the land we are on is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Williams Treaty signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands.

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