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“Are we ready?” asked Jerry Dias. The resounding answer from delegates at the Canadian Council this weekend was “yes”.
Discussion of voting out the Conservative government was at the top of everyone’s mind in Montreal.
Progressive politics dominated the agenda at Canadian Council. Current NDP MPs Peggy Nash and Ruth Ellen Brosseau spoke about women in electoral politics, alongside Nancy Peckford, Executive Director of Equal Voice, a group dedicated to electing more women in Canada.
“When you’re engaged in the union, you can’t help but be involved in politics,” said Nash, noting the opportunities, training, and confidence that Unifor offers women.
“Encourage women to run,” said Nash. “And when she does, support her.”
“Politics is an extreme sport,” said Brosseau, who spoke about her experience of getting elected and the challenges of being heard in the House of Commons.
“I hope that my experience will allow me to inspire others. My story is not different from others. I am the head of a single-parent family. Women have to take their rightful place in politics.”
Nancy Peckford spoke of women’s leadership within the labour movement and commended the union for its work on women’s issues. She also said that the underrepresentation of women in politics is a chronic problem. “We’re not there yet, we’re making incremental change.”
Unifor is asking members to make an “I will vote” pledge, and providing information on the Harper Government’s record.
Unifor economists Jim Stanford and Jordan Brennan compared Stephen Harper’s economic record to previous Prime Ministers.
“Harper has the worst economic record of any Prime Minister since the second World War,” said Stanford, who presented the findings to Council.
Roland Kiehne, Director of Membership Mobilization and Political Action, said Unifor is not telling members how to vote, but is ensuring they have the information they need to make a good choice.
Unifor Local 229 President Kari Jefford spoke about passionately about cuts to health care and verterans support.
“These are the issues that all Canadians should care about.”
