April 4, 2025 — The Seafarers’ International Union of Canada (SIU Canada) announces that President Michael Given has stepped down from his position as President. The SIU Canada membership and the Executive Board thank Mike for his years of service to his union. The Union requests that Members respect Mike’s privacy at this time.
In light of this news and in accordance with the SIU Constitution, the SIU Canada Executive Board met to discuss the future direction of the Union and unanimously agreed to elect Chris Given as the new President of the Seafarers’ International Union of Canada, effective March 28, 2025.
Chris is uniquely positioned to take on this role, having dedicated his career to championing the rights of seafarers in Canada and abroad. With a proven ability to lead, a deep understanding of the industry, and a genuine passion for improving the lives of seafarers, Chris embodies the experience and vision needed to guide the Union into its next chapter.
“The SIU Canada Executive Board have full confidence in Chris’ leadership,” said Charles-Etienne Aubry, Executive Vice President of the SIU Canada. “Chris understands both the history and the future of our Union. His deep industry knowledge, strong relationships, and passion for fighting on behalf of our members has been proven time and time again. We are proud to have him as our new President and the Union’s future is extremely bright under his leadership.”
A graduate of McGill University and holding a Labour Relations Certificate from Toronto Metropolitan University, Chris began his career with the Union as a dispatcher and organizer at the Thorold Union Hall. There, Chris worked directly with the membership and gained firsthand insight into the day-to-day needs and challenges faced by Canadian seafarers. He later took on the role of Director of Government Relations in Ottawa, where he played a pivotal role in advancing the Union’s priorities with key policymakers and ensuring that seafarers’ voices were heard at the national level. In 2022, Chris was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the SIU Canada.
Internationally, Chris has been a strong advocate for seafarers through his work with the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). He currently serves as the North American Regional Chair for the ITF Seafarers’ Section, Chair of the ITF Cabotage Task Force, and as a delegate to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), among a variety of other positions. He is also the Eastern Area Executive Board member of the Maritime Trades Department (MTD) of the AFL-CIO. These roles have allowed him to represent Canadian seafarers on the global stage and contribute to shaping the future of the industry.
“It’s an honour to be elected President of this great Union and I’m very proud to get to work alongside this team for our members,” stated Chris. “The Executive Board is motivated and our staff across the country are ready to continue to work to build a better future for our members and all seafarers. We are going to continue to secure industry-leading contracts, with good wages and benefits for the membership, while ensuring our cabotage legislation remains strong and workers’ rights are protected. This Union belongs to the membership, and we are going to work and fight for their benefit.”
Chris brings to the presidency not only a wealth of experience, but also a clear and forward-thinking vision for the Union’s continued growth and impact. His approach is rooted in a tireless commitment to defending the rights and dignity of seafarers across the country.
