[ En Français ]

Organizing and Training are Canadian Congress Priorities

In December, Delegates to the IU Canadian Congress made “significant advances on two all-important fronts – organizing and training,” according to Canadian Congress Co-Chair and Local 1 Saskatchewan President Clarence Medernach.

Delegates not only reached consensus on a far-reaching organizing plan for Canada, but also established two national Committees, one for Organizing and one for Training, that will focus on these respective issues between Congress sessions. “Historically, the Canadian training system has been provincially driven. Adopting a national training approach is a challenging, but important step,” said Medernach.

The Congress also heard from several guest speakers, including Edmonton attorney Micah Field, who briefed delegates on case law, legal trends, and the impact of recent legislation related to alcohol and drug testing in Canada. Jason Heistad, an elected town councilor and labor activist from central Alberta, addressed the importance of union-driven grass roots political organizing.

Canadian Congress Delegates and IU Executive Board members met in December in Calgary. From left, standing, are Alan Ramsay of 1 AB, Frank Krauthaker of 1 MB, Ray DeLeskie of 2 NS, BAC Executive Vice President Gerard Scarano and Regional Director for Canada Fred Vautour, Jerzy Baran of 4 AB; Gerald Reinders of 8 NB, John Leonard of 1 NL, Oliver Swan of 7 CN, Clarence Gallant of 1 PE, Wyman Jordan of 1 NS and BAC Executive Vice President Gerald O’Malley. Seated, from left, BAC Executive Vice President Ken Lambert, Canadian Congress Co-Chair Clarence Medernach, BAC President John J. Flynn, Mario Basilico of 1 QC, and Rob Tuzzi of 2 BC.