Saskatoon Setting for 2nd IU Canadian Congress

The second meeting of the Canadian Congress was held July 27 and 28 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It was the first meeting at which Canadian Congress Co-Chair Fred Vautour formally took his place at the head table, following his election to that post in February. Eleven delegates were in attendance.

Eleven Local Union delegates/Business Managers attended the second IU Canadian Congress in Saskatoon in July. Seated from left are: Stewart Bezanson, 1 Nova Scotia; BAC Secretary-Treasurer Jim Boland; Robert Tuzzi, 1 British Columbia; Alfred Vautour, Congress Co-Chair; BAC President John J. Flynn; Clarence Medernach, 1 Saskatchewan; and Dan Plunkett, 7 Canada. Standing are Gerald Reinders, 2 New Brunswick; BAC Canadian Affairs Director Joe Bognar, Jr.; Clarence Gallant, 1 Prince Edwards Island; Allan Ramsay, 1 Alberta; Frank Krauthaker, 1 Manitoba; Luciano Mascarin, 6 Ontario; and Guy Zecchini, 3 British Columbia.

The first day of the meeting was dedicated to internal Union business. Delegates heard reports on the Co-Chair election and the wind-up provisions of IPF Canada. Co-Chairs Vautour and President Flynn updated the Congress on the Millennium Morning Project, which prompted valuable input from delegates on Canadian individuals and groups to bring into our strategic planning process.

The Congress also received a legal briefing on the Ontario Labour Relations Board’s ruling of May 2, 2001.

The last half of the meeting shifted to an educational format—which included four workshops. Executive Vice President Ken Lambert and IU Organizer Pat Zimick reviewed the IU Organizing Plan and discussed with delegates how the plan could be further developed and implemented in Canada.

The Director of Canadian Affairs for the BCTD, Bob Blakely, led a workshop on political action, focusing on how Local Unions can boost their effectiveness at the local level, and in coordination with other Locals.

IPF Canada Delinquency Counsel, Don Short, walked delegates through a series of recommended collection procedures. The final workshop featured a panel of experts who addressed “Prospects for Growth in Canada’s Masonry Industry.” Panelists included Ron Winkler, a Saskatoon contractor and President of the Canadian Mason Contractors’ Association, and Bill Empey, who coordinated the joint labor-management-government effort that produced the report entitled, Canadians Building Canada: Performance Through Partnership, an analysis of Canada’s masonry manpower needs.

It was announced that the second phase of the Canadian Masonry study has received a federal grant of $439,000 to examine how the first study’s recommendations—aimed at strengthening the masonry industry—can best be implemented.