Record number of UFCW activists stand for election as federal MPs

Toronto – September 5, 2015 – Nine UFCW activists from British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec will be on the ballot this October 19, as candidates in the federal election. All nine are running as NDP candidates in a campaign where the latest polls are predicting the NDP will form the next government.

In British Columbia, Alistair MacGregor is running in the riding of Cowichan–Malahat–Langford. Brother MacGregor is one of five UFCW Canada Local 232 members running as an NDP candidate. UFCW Canada Local 232 represents the staff of the caucus of the federal NDP.

In Alberta, UFCW Canada Local 401 staff representative Saba Mossagizi is the NDP candidate in the riding of Grande Prairie–Mackenzie.

In Ontario, UFCW Canada Local 175&633 member Lorne Bruce is running as the NDP candidate in Kitchener South–Hespeler.  UFCW Canada Local 232 member Faisal Hassan is the NDP candidate in Etobicoke North. UFCW Canada Local 1000A staff representative Rehya Yazbek is running as the NDP candidate in Dufferin–Caledon.

In Quebec, Local 232 member Alain Ackad  is standing for election in the riding of Saint–Laurent, while Local 232 member Joël Charest is running in Avignon–La Mitis–Matane–Matapédia. Rosannie Filato, a staff lawyer at UFCW Canada Local 500, is the NDP candidate in Saint–Léonard–Saint–Michel. Local 232 member Catherine Lusson is the NDP candidate in Brome–Missisquoi.

“This is the largest contingent of UFCW activists ever to run as candidates in a federal election,” says UFCW Canada National President Paul Meinema. “We are proud of them, and all UFCW Canada activists working to replace the Harper government with a new government and leadership that believes in fairness and opportunity for all Canadians.”