UFCW Canada at the 2016 NDP Federal Convention

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Edmonton – April 11, 2016 – UFCW Canada members, officers, and staff from across the country gathered in Edmonton from April 8 to 10 to participate in the New Democratic Party’s biennial convention. With dozens of activists in attendance, UFCW Canada represented one of the largest labour union delegations at the NDP event.

The convention focused on how the party can build a strong, united, and progressive opposition to Justin Trudeau’s Liberals, who won a majority government in last year’s federal election. Delegates also passed a number of resolutions dedicated to building a better and fairer Canada for workers and their families, and voted to begin the process of selecting a new party leader as part of the convention’s leadership review.

As well, a UFCW-backed resolution opposing the dangerous Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) was passed unanimously by convention, which included more than 1,700 delegates.

Over the course of three days, activists heard from prominent speakers such as Alberta Premier Rachel Notley; Kelly Carmicahel, Executive Director of Fair Vote Canada; Stephen Lewis, former leader of the Ontario NDP; and BCNDP MLA Melanie Mark, the first indigenous woman ever to be elected to the British Columbia legislature.

In addition, convention-goers debated the type of proportional representation that they would like to see enacted once the federal government completes its consultations on reforming Canada’s electoral system.

Delegates also voted for a new NDP Federal Executive, electing Marit Stiles as President, Hans Marotte as Vice-President, and Tania Jarzebiak as Federal Treasurer of the party. UFCW Canada National Representative Andrew Mackenzie and UFCW Canada Local 401 activist Juanita O’Reilly were also appointed as a Labour Representatives to the NDP Federal Labour Council.

The next federal NDP convention is scheduled for 2018.