The last day of Convention got underway with PSAC National President Sharon DeSousa chairing the elections for UHEW’s national leadership. With the position of UHEW National President contested, delegates cast their ballots to determine who will lead the union for the next three-year term.
Rae McCleave was elected National President, having previously served as RVP for Scotia Fundy. National Vice President Marc Blanchard was then re-elected by acclamation, beginning his second term as NVP. Delegates thanked Shimen Fayad for having served as National President for the last six years. McCleave and Blanchard will now lead the Component for the next three years.
Here’s a recap of the rest of the day’s highlights.
REGIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT AND ALTERNATE REGIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT ELECTIONS
Elections for Regional Vice-Presidents and Alternate Regional Vice Presidents were held in their respective caucuses. Here are the election results:
- Robert Chafe, RVP for Newfoundland and Labrador – Env
- Peter Butler, Alternate RVP for Newfoundland and Labrador – Env
- Tyler Augstine, RVP for New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island – Env
- Jennifer Grondin, Alternate RVP for New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island – Env
- Lynn Collier, RVP for Scotia Fundy – Env
- Zachary Branscombe, Alternate RVP for Scotia Fundy – Env
- Sarah Oakley, RVP for Atlantic – H/S
- Karla Levangie-Connor, Alternate RVP for Atlantic – H/S
- Diane De Berardinis, RVP for Quebec – H/S
- Henri Wanda Njeutcha, Alternate RVP for Quebec – H/S
- Aline Vignola, RVP for Quebec – Env
- Benoit Thibault, Alternate RVP for Quebec – Env
- Rubin Kooner, RVP for National Capital Region – Env
- Jeannine Laing, Alternate RVP for National Capital Region – Env
- Diane Girouard, RVP for National Capital Region – H/S
- Andrea Kelly-Legault, Alternate RVP for National Capital Region – H/S
- Tracey Hanke, RVP for Ontario – H/S
- Tim Eddis, Alternate RVP for Ontario – H/S
- Janine Etherington, RVP for Ontario – Env
- Francesco Lai, Alternate RVP for Ontario – Env
- Dana-Lee Armstrong, RVP for Manitoba – H/S
- Alyssa Ash, Alternate RVP for Manitoba – H/S
- Lorrie Bucknell, RVP for Saskatchewan – H/S
- Kelsey Churchill, Alternate RVP for Saskatchewan – H/S
- Jeremy Stewart, RVP for Prairies and Northern – Env
- William Staples, Alternate RVP for Prairies and Northern – Env
- Darlene Lewis, RVP for Alberta/British Columbia – H/S
- vacant, Alternate RVP for Alberta/British Columbia – H/S
- Richard May, RVP for British Columbia/Yukon – Env
- Eamon Miyagi, Alternate RVP for British Columbia/Yukon – Env
HUMAN RIGHTS REPRESENTATIVE
Delegates re-elected Sonya Driscoll by acclamation as the Human Rights Representative for the Component. Sonya Driscoll will continue in this role for the next three years.
ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO PSAC NATIONAL TRIENNIAL CONVENTION
UHEW will be allotted their delegate seats later this fall for the 2027 PSAC National Triennial Convention. The number of delegate seats allocated is determined by the total number of Component members, using the formula set out in the PSAC Constitution. Of these seats, the majority will be allocated to UHEW National Council members. The remaining seats were elected at Convention today as well as alternates delegates for the 2027 PSAC Convention. The following members were elected to serve as UHEW Delegates and Alternate Delegates at the PSAC Convention next year (in ranked order):
- Rebecca Balsillie
- Shimen Fayad
- Peter Bulter
- Andrew Olinski
- Danielle Hosick
- Alyssa Ash
- Michèle Leblanc
- Jessica Kushner
- Jacob Schofield
- Patrick Guillot
- Jennifer Grondin
- Andrea Kelly-Legault
- Stephanie Semenuk
OATH OF OFFICE
With elections concluded, the newly elected and re-elected National President, National Vice President and National Council members took their oath of office, administered by PSAC National President Sharon DeSousa.
INDIGENOUS CLOSING
Finally, Elder Noel Milliea of the Elsipogtog First Nation, a proud lodge keeper and pipe carrier, returned to close the Convention in a good way. Elder Noel reminded delegates to take home the important message of hope. He encouraged attendees to have hope for change as they return to their communities, especially as it relates to the environment and taking care of the world around us. To conclude his comments, Elder Noel encouraged everyone to take the time to reflect on the responsibilities that rest on our shoulders and honour them in a good way.
