Delegates emerge from 11th UFCW Canada National Council Convention stronger and more unified than ever

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UFCW activists from across Canada gathered in Toronto on November 8 and 9 to participate in the 11^th UFCW Canada National Council Convention, and to celebrate the union’s tremendous accomplishments over the past five years.

"Our union is now the leading progressive force in the Canadian labour movement, and it's thanks to the support and input of UFCW Canada's Local Unions that we are stronger and more united than ever," said UFCW Canada National President Wayne Hanley in welcoming UFCW Canada activists from every region of the country to the most dynamic and innovative National Council Convention in the union’s history.

UFCW International President Joe Hansen brought greetings from the union’s American sisters and brothers, while congratulating the Canadian activists on their outstanding efforts, and Brother Steve Powell, UFCW International Director of Political Affairs; Sister Lisa Pedersen, UFCW International Special Legal Counsel to the President; and Brother Ken Georgetti, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, also participated in the convention as a special guests.

Over a jam-packed two days, delegates heard full reports from the union’s National Committees and Departments, and passed a number of important resolutions to further build UFCW Canada’s momentum as the country’s most progressive and leading voice for workers and their communities.

"Local union activists have actively shaped a positive future direction for UFCW Canada by approving proposals that will empower our union to better reflect and represent workers across the country," added Brother Hanley in his remarks to the conventioneers.

Delegates to the 11^th National Council Convention were also energized by a series of impressive announcements, including:

An unprecedented commitment to strengthening the voice of workers that has resulted in more than 33,000 new members joining UFCW Canada in the past 5 years!
A second Growth Summit scheduled for 2015 to strengthen the union’s ability to create more fairness in our core industries
A further commitment to the union’s already groundbreaking Political Action program, including a second National Political Action conference to be held in 2014 as part of the union’s leading effort to elect Thomas Mulcair as the next Prime Minister of Canada.
The first annual UFCW Canada Communications Conference to be held in 2013 to further enhance the union’s role as Canada’s most innovative force for workers.

Thomas Mulcair received a loud UFCW Canada welcome on the second day of the convention by thanking UFCW Canada leaders and activists for their long-standing support, and for pledging to create the first federal government in Canada that puts the interests of working families first.

Delegate to the 11^th National Council Convention also enjoyed a dynamic range of information booths, posters, and video stations, as well as captivating artwork from social justice advocate Gilda Monreal and an exhilarating, high energy performance by Toronto's Gay-Straight Alliance Theatre Group.