Toronto – August 23, 2022 – UFCW Canada members from coast to coast convened at the Westin Harbour Castle hotel in downtown Toronto to kick off UFCW Canada’s 13^th National Council Convention.

UFCW Canada National President Paul Meinema called convention to order after a traditional welcome from Chief Stacey LaForme of Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. UFCW International President Marc Perrone also greeted delegates with a special message that highlighted the Union’s cross-border fraternity with a shared vision of empowering working-people across North America.

Delegates were also graced with a special discussion by UFCW Canada’s own Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) who shared her priorities leading Canada’s labour movement over the past year.

Day One sessions engaged delegates on the challenges and resilience members exhibited over two years of the COVID-19 pandemic and took a closer look at the ways gig employment is impacting workers across the country.

Delegates were also given personal insights from National Representative, Tom Biebrich who shared his story as a product of the Sixties Scoop after government agencies separated him from his family, culture and Indigenous traditions.

Day One of the convention concluded with a discussion from Canada’s Food Professor, Sylvain Charlebois who shared insights and trends impacting the country’s food industry. Delegates were also treated to a special performance from the Springcreek First Nation Dancers who shared their traditional art with the convention.