in beadwork and haute couture, which allows her to share with everyone her commitment to Aboriginal arts and culture, especially the Abénakis culture. Her creations are for sale at the Plumes et pacotilles boutique, in Wôlinak, which is part of the Conseil du développement culturel du Centre du Québec whose mandate is to stimulate and support regional culture. She is currently nominated for theatre arts.
Gaétan Ménard, National Secretary-Treasurer of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers’ Union; and Fred Muzin, past National Executive Board member. Nomvula Hadi, Deputy President and Steve Faulkner, International Officer, from SAMWU, our sister union in South Africa; Saye Kweh, human rights activist, from Peace Way Foundation, Burma; Berenice Celeyta, human rights activist in Columbia; Mariano Jose Guerra Diaz, President of the Antioquia section of the Columbian Trade Union Federation of Public Sector Workers; Nick Sigler, Head of International Relations, and Gerry Gallagher, from UNISON, our sister union in the United Kingdom.
Today, we ask Sister Sylvie to extend her greetings and we thank the First Nations for allowing us to hold our convention on their traditional lands. Following Sister Sylvie Bernard’s address, Sister Lucie Levasseur thanked her and presented her with a gift.
INTRODUCTION OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD
“Bread and Roses” “Solidarity Forever”
The members of the National Executive Board are: Claude Généreux, National Secretary-Treasurer; and our five general vice-presidents: Daniel Légère, Atlantic and Maritimes; Lucie Levasseur, Québec; Sid Ryan, Ontario; Kevin Rebeck, Saskatchewan and Manitoba; and Brother Barry O’Neill, Alberta and British Columbia.
Sister Lucie Levasseur presented the gavel to Brother Paul Moist, National President.
CHAIRPERSON PAUL MOIST (National President): It is a tremendous privilege for me to chair my third national convention in the beautiful City of Montreal. I promise to be fair and to listen to you and to respect you on all matters relating to our debates in our decisions this week.
Our two diversity vice-presidents are: Yolanda McClean and Brian Barron; and our regional vice-presidents are: Danny Cavanagh, Nova Scotia; Wayne Lucas, Newfoundland and Labrador; Milo Murray, Prince Edward Island; Sandy Harding, New Brunswick; Nathalie Stringer and Charles Fleury, Québec; Candace Rennick, Michael Hurley and Wyman MacKinnon, Ontario; Tracey Beastall, Manitoba; Tom Graham, Saskatchewan; Dennis Mol, Alberta; Mark Hancock and Ken Robinson, British Columbia.
My job as chair is to create a space where healthy, honest and open debate can take place and to ensure that our convention remains a forum where all members have a chance to be heard and I pledge to do my very best.
INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL AND INTERNATIONAL GUESTS
EQUALITY STATEMENT “Union solidarity is based on the principle that union members are equal and deserve mutual respect at all levels. Any behaviour that creates conflict prevents us from working together to strengthen our union.
It gives me great privilege to introduce to you CUPE former National President from 1983 to 1991, President Emeritus Jeff Rose; former National President from 1991 to 2003, President Emeritus Judy Darcy; and former National Secretary-Treasurer from 1985 to 1989, Jean-Claude Laniel.
As unionists, mutual respect, cooperation and understanding are our goals. We should neither condone nor tolerate behaviour that undermines the dignity of selfesteem of any individual or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.
Ken Georgetti, President of the Canadian Labour Congress; Bob White, retired President of the Canadian Auto Workers and President Emeritus of the Canadian Labour Congress; Nancy Riche, former Secretary-Treasurer and VicePresident of the CLC, who for the fourth convention in a row, will serve as our Chief Electoral Officer; Hassan Yussuff, Secretary-Treasurer of the CLC; Mary ClarkeWalker, Executive Vice-President of the CLC; Barb Byers, Vice-President of the CLC; Irene Harris, Secretary-Treasurer and Terry Downey, Executive Vice-President, of the Ontario Federation of Labour; James Ryan, President of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association; Mary Lou Cherwaty, President of the Northern Territories Federation of Labour;
Discriminatory speech or conduct which is racist, sexist, transphobic or homophobic hurts and thereby divides us. So, too, discrimination on the basis of ability, age, class, religion, language and ethnic origin. Sometimes, discrimination takes the form of harassment. Harassment means using real or perceived power to abuse,
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